Auto dim and color adjusting backlight for a wall mounted control device

An apparatus, system, and method for an automatic dimming and color adjusting backlight LEDs of wall mounted control device buttons. The control device comprises a light sensor that detects light levels in a room where the control device is installed. The control device comprises a controller that operates the backlight LEDs according to day color setting when it receive a light level reading from the light sensor that is above a day/night threshold and according to a night color setting when it receives a light level reading from the light sensor that is below the day/night threshold. In addition, the controller dims the backlight LEDs based on the detected light level readings according an indication mode dimming curve when the backlight LEDs are in an indication mode and according to a backlight mode dimming curve when the backlight LEDs are in a backlight mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

Aspects of the embodiments relate to wall mounted control devices, and more specifically to an apparatus, system and method for an automatic dimming and color adjusting backlight for wall mounted control devices.

Background Art

The popularity of home and building automation has grown in recent years partially due to increases in affordability, improvements, simplicity, and a higher level of technical sophistication of the average end-user. Automation systems integrate various electrical and mechanical system elements within a building or a space, such as a residential home, commercial building, or individual rooms, such as meeting rooms, lecture halls, or the like. Examples of such system elements include heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting control systems, audio and video (AV) switching and distribution, motorized window treatments (including blinds, shades, drapes, curtains, etc.), occupancy and/or lighting sensors, and/or motorized or hydraulic actuators, and security systems, to name a few.

One way a user can be given control of an automation system, is through the use of one or more control devices, such as keypads. A keypad is typically mounted in a recessed receptacle in a building wall, commonly known as a wall or a gang box, and comprises one or more buttons or keys each assigned to perform a predetermined or assigned function. Assigned functions may include, for example, turning various types of loads on or off, or sending other types of commands to the loads, for example, orchestrating various lighting presets or scenes of a lighting load.

Typically, the various buttons are printed with indicia to either identify their respective functions or the controlled loads. These buttons may include backlighting via light emitting diodes (LEDs). Giving the customer the ability to change backlight color of these buttons to any desired color or color temperature of white is an added feature. For example, different button backlight colors may be used for indication, to distinguish between buttons, load types (e.g., emergency load), or the load state (e.g., on or off), or button backlight colors may be chosen to complement the surroundings or to give a pleasing visual effect. This can be achieved via multicolor LEDs, such as Red-Green-Blue (RGB) LEDs, to produce different colored backlighting. Each RGB LED comprises red, green, and blue LED emitters in a single package. Almost any color can be produced by independently adjusting the intensities of each of the three RGB LED emitters. Backlight may be provided using a single color that changes in brightness based on ambient light levels in the room. Achieving optimal backlight brightness via dimming is preferred so the backlight is not too bright when the room is dark or too dim when the room is bright. If the backlight is too bright for the ambient light level it could be a nuisance or it could cause light bleed around buttons. However, while one color backlight may be pleasantly perceived during the day, the same color may be too bright or disturbing during the night. Additionally, some colors are more optimal in backlighting text during the day while others are more optimal in backlighting text during the night.

Accordingly, a need has arisen for an apparatus, system, and method for an automatic dimming and color adjusting backlight for wall mounted control device buttons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the embodiments to substantially solve at least the problems and/or disadvantages discussed above, and to provide at least one or more of the advantages described below.

It is therefore a general aspect of the embodiments to provide an apparatus, system, and method for an automatic dimming and color adjusting backlight for wall mounted control device buttons.

Further features and advantages of the aspects of the embodiments, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the aspects of the embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. The scope of the embodiments is therefore defined by the appended claims. The detailed description that follows is written from the point of view of a control systems company, so it is to be understood that generally the concepts discussed herein are applicable to various subsystems and not limited to only a particular controlled device or class of devices.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS FOR THE ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWINGS IN NUMERICAL ORDER

The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings in numerical order.100Control Device101Housing102a-eButtons103Front Surface106Faceplate108Opening110Indicia207Shoulders209Trim Plate211Mounting Holes212Screws213Screws217Opening218Lens301Front Housing Portion302Rear Housing Portion304Printed Circuit Board (PCB)305Tactile Switches306Side Walls307Screws308Front Wall309Openings310Openings311a-eLight Sources/Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)314Side Edges315a-eLight Bars316Orifices317Light Sensor415a-eButton Zones502Two Height Button503Three Height Button504Four Height Button505Five Height Button506One Height Rocker Button700Block Diagram of a Control Device701Controller702Memory703Communication Interface704User Interface705Light Sources711Power Supply712Switch713Dimmer800Flowchart Illustrating the Steps for Setting the Color and Intensity Levels for Backlight LEDs of the Control Device802-824Steps of Flowchart800900Flowchart Illustrating the Steps of the Operation of the Control Device Based on the Set Color and Intensity Levels of the Backlight LEDs of the Control Device902-920Steps of Flowchart9001001Indication-Night Dimming Curve1002Indication-Day Dimming Curve1003Backlight-Night Dimming Curve1004Backlight-Day Dimming Curve1005Day/Night Threshold1006Indication-Day Dimming Curve with Zero Slope and Zero Offset1011Minimum Indication-Night Mode Intensity Limit1012Maximum Indication-Day Mode Intensity Limit1013Minimum Backlight-Night Mode Intensity Limit1014Maximum Backlight-Day Mode Intensity Limit1021Indication-Night Mode Color Selection1022Indication-Day Mode Color Selection1023Backlight-Night Mode Color Selection1024Backlight-Day Mode Color Selection1031Indication Mode Logarithmic Curve1032Backlight Mode Logarithmic Curve1100User Interface1101Representation of the Control Device1102a-eSelectable Buttons1104Selectable Color Fields1105aHue Selection Slider1105bSaturation Selection Slider1106Maximum Intensity for Indication Mode Selection Slider

List of Acronyms Used in the Specification in Alphabetical Order

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

For 40 years Crestron Electronics, Inc. has been the world's leading manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems, innovating technology to simplify and enhance modern lifestyles and businesses. Crestron designs, manufactures, and offers for sale integrated solutions to control audio, video, computer, and environmental systems. In addition, the devices and systems offered by Crestron streamlines technology, improving the quality of life in commercial buildings, universities, hotels, hospitals, and homes, among other locations. Accordingly, the systems, methods, and modes of the aspects of the embodiments described herein can be manufactured by Crestron Electronics, Inc., located in Rockleigh, N.J.

The different aspects of the embodiments described herein pertain to the context of wall mounted control devices, but are not limited thereto, except as may be set forth expressly in the appended claims. Particularly, the aspects of the embodiments are related to an apparatus, system, and method for an automatic dimming and color adjusting backlight for wall mounted control device buttons.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shows a perspective front view of an illustrative wall mounted control device100according to an illustrative embodiment. The control device100may serve as a user interface to associated loads or load controllers in a space. According to an embodiment, the control device100may be configured as a keypad comprising a plurality of buttons, such as five single height buttons102a-e. Each button102a-emay be associated with a particular load and/or to a particular operation of a load. For example, different buttons102a-emay correspond to different lighting scenes of lighting loads. However, other button configuration may be used. According to various embodiments, the control device100may be configured as a lighting switch or a dimmer having a single button that may be used to control an on/off status of the load. Alternatively, or in addition, the single button can be used to control a dimming setting of the load.

In an illustrative embodiment, the control device100may be configured to receive control commands from a user via buttons102a-eand either directly or through a control processor transmit the control command to a load (such as a light, fan, window blinds, etc.) or to a load controller (not shown) electrically connected to the load to control an operation of the load based on the control commands. In various aspects of the embodiments, the control device100may control various types of electronic devices or loads. The control device100may comprise one or more control ports for interfacing with various types of electronic devices or loads, including, but not limited to audiovisual (AV) equipment, lighting, shades, screens, computers, laptops, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), security, appliances, and other room devices. The control device100may be used in residential load control, or in commercial settings, such as classrooms or meeting rooms.

Each button102a-emay comprise indicia110disposed thereon to provide clear designation of each button's function. Each button102a-emay be backlit, for example via light emitting diodes (LEDs), for visibility and/or to provide status indication of the button102a-e. For example, buttons102a-emay be backlit by white, blue, or another color LEDs. In addition, different buttons102a-emay be backlit via different colors, for example, to distinguish between buttons, load types (e.g., emergency load), or the load state (e.g., on, off, or selected scene), AV state (e.g., selected station or selected channel), or button backlight colors may be chosen to complement the surroundings or to give a pleasing visual effect. Buttons102a-emay comprise opaque material while the indicia110may be transparent or translucent allowing light from the LEDs to pass through the indicia110and be perceived from the front surface103of the button102a-e. The indicia110may be formed by engraving, tinting, printing, applying a film, etching, and/or similar processes.

Reference is now made toFIGS. 1 and 2, whereFIG. 2shows the control device100with the faceplate106removed. The control device100may comprise a housing101adapted to house various electrical components of the control device100, such as the power supply and an electrical printed circuit board (PCB)304(FIG. 3). The housing101is further adapted to carry the buttons102a-ethereon. The housing101may comprise mounting holes211for mounting the control device100to a standard electrical box via screws212. According to another embodiment, control device100may be mounted to other surfaces using a dedicated enclosure. According yet to another embodiment, the control device100may be configured to sit freestanding on a surface, such as a table, via a table top enclosure. Once mounted to a wall or an enclosure, the housing101may be covered using a faceplate106. The faceplate106may comprise an opening108sized and shaped for receiving the buttons102a-etherein. The faceplate106may be secured to the housing101using screws213. The screws213may be concealed using a pair of decorative trim plates209, which may be removably attached to the faceplate106using magnets (not shown). However, other types of faceplates may be used.

Referring now toFIG. 3, which illustrates an exploded view of the control device100. Housing101of control device100may comprise a front housing portion301and a rear housing portion302. The rear housing portion302may fit within a standard electrical or junction box and may be adapted to contain various electrical components, for example on a printed circuit board (PCB)304, configured for providing various functionality to the control device100, including for receiving commands and transmitting commands wirelessly to a load or a load controlling device.FIG. 7is an illustrative block diagram of the electrical components of the control device100. Control device100may comprise a power supply711that may be housed in the rear housing portion302for providing power to the various circuit components of the control device100. The control device100may be powered by an electric alternating current (AC) power signal from an AC mains power source or via DC voltage. Such control device100may comprise leads or terminals suitable for making line voltage connections. In yet another embodiment, the control device100may be powered using Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or via a Cresnet® port. Cresnet® provides a network wiring solution for Creston® keypads, lighting controls, thermostats, and other devices. The Cresnet® bus offers wiring and configuration, carrying bidirectional communication and 24 VDC power to each device over a simple 4-conductor cable. However, other types of connections or ports may be utilized.

The printed circuit board304of the control device100may include a controller701comprising one or more microprocessors, such as “general purpose” microprocessors, a combination of general and special purpose microprocessors, or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Additionally, or alternatively, the controller701can include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors, video processors, or related chip sets. The controller701can provide processing capability to execute an operating system, run various applications, and/or provide processing for one or more of the techniques and functions described herein.

The PCB304of the control device100can further include a memory702. Memory702can be communicably coupled to the controller701and can store data and executable code. The memory702can represent volatile memory such as random-access memory (RAM), but can also include nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) or Flash memory. In buffering or caching data related to operations of the controller701, memory702can store data associated with applications running on the controller701.

The PCB304can further comprise one or more communication interfaces703, such as a wired or a wireless communication interface, configured for transmitting control commands to various connected loads or electrical devices, and receiving feedback. A wireless interface may be configured for bidirectional wireless communication with other electronic devices over a wireless network. In various embodiments, the wireless interface can comprise a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, an infrared (IR) transceiver, or other communication technologies known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the wireless interface communicates using the infiNET EX® protocol from Crestron Electronics, Inc. of Rockleigh, N.J. infiNET EX® is an extremely reliable and affordable protocol that employs steadfast two-way RF communications throughout a residential or commercial structure without the need for physical control wiring. In another embodiment, communication is employed using the ZigBee® protocol from ZigBee Alliance. In yet another embodiment, the wireless communication interface may communicate via Bluetooth transmission. A wired communication interface may be configured for bidirectional communication with other devices over a wired network. The wired interface can represent, for example, an Ethernet or a Cresnet® port. In various aspects of the embodiments, control device100can both receive the electric power signal and output control commands through the PoE interface.

The control device100may further comprise a user interface704. Particularly, the front surface of the PCB304may comprise a plurality of micro-switches or tactile switches305. For example, the PCB304may contain fifteen tactile switches305arranged in three columns and five rows to accommodate various number of button configurations. However, other number of switches and layouts may be utilized to accommodate other button configurations. The tactile switches305are adapted to be activated via buttons102a-eto receive user input.

The control device100may also comprise a switch712configured for switching a connected load on or off, such as a lighting load, an HVAC, or the like. According to one embodiment, switch712may comprise an electromechanical relay, which may use an electromagnet to mechanically operate a switch. In another embodiment, switch712may comprise a solid-state relay (SSR) comprising semiconductor devices, such as thyristors (e.g., TRIAC) and transistors.

In addition, the control device100may comprise a dimmer713configured for providing a dimmed voltage output to a connected load, such as a lighting load. The dimmer713may comprise a solid-state dimmer for dimming different types of lighting loads, including incandescent, fluorescent, LED, or the like. According to an embodiment, the dimmer713may comprise a 0-10V DC dimmer to provide a dimmed voltage output to an LED lighting load, a fluorescent lighting load, or the like. The dimmer713of the control device100may reduce its output based on light levels reported by the light sensor317.

The PCB304of the control device100may further comprise a plurality of light sources705configured for providing backlighting to corresponding buttons102a-e. Each light source705may comprise a multicolored light emitting diode (LED)311a-e, such as a red-green-blue LED (RGB LED), comprising of red, green, and blue LED emitters in a single package. Each red, green, and blue LED emitter can be independently controlled at a different intensity. Although a white LED emitter or LED emitters of other colors can be instead or additionally included. The plurality of LEDs311a-emay be powered using LED drivers located on PCB304. According to an embodiment, each red, green, and blue LED emitter can be controlled using pulse width modulation (PWM) signal with a constant current LED driver with output values ranging between 0 and 65535 for a 16-bit channel—with 0 meaning fully off and 65535 meaning fully on. Varying these PWM values of each of the red, green, and blue LED emitters on each LED311a-eallows the LED311a-eto create any desired color within the device's color gamut. According to an embodiment, a pair of LEDs311a-emay be located on two opposite sides of each row of tactile switches305.

The PCB304may further comprise a light sensor317configured for detecting and measuring ambient light. According to an embodiment, light sensor317can comprise at least one closed-loop photosensor having an internal photocell with 0-65535 lux (0-6089 foot-candles) light sensing output to measure light intensity from natural daylight and ambient light sources. Light sensor317may be used to control the intensity of the load that is being controlled by the control device100. In addition, light sensor317may be used to control the intensity levels of LEDs311a-ebased on the measured ambient light levels, as further described below. According to an embodiment, light sensor317may impact the intensity levels of LEDs311a-eto stay at the same perceived brightness with respect to the measured ambient light levels. A dimming curve may be used to adjust the brightness of LEDs311a-ebased on measured ambient light levels by the light sensor317. According to another embodiment, ambient light sensor threshold values may be used to adjust the LED intensity. According to yet another embodiment, light sensor317may impact the color of the LEDs311a-ebased on the measured ambient light levels, as further discussed below. Referring toFIG. 2, the faceplate106may comprise an opening217adapted to contain a lens218. Lens218may direct ambient light from a bottom edge of the faceplate106toward the light sensor317. The lens218may be hidden from view by the trim plate209. The PCB304may comprise other types of sensors, such as motion or proximity sensors.

Referring back toFIG. 3, the control device100may further comprise a plurality of horizontally disposed rectangular light pipes or light bars315a-eeach adapted to be positioned adjacent a respective row of tactile switches305and between a respective pair of LEDs311a-e. For example, each light bar315a-emay be positioned above a respective row of tactile switches305, as shown inFIG. 4. According to one embodiment, the light bars315a-emay be individually attached to the front surface of the PCB304, for example, using an adhesive. According to another embodiment, the light bars315a-emay be interconnected into a single tree structure as shown inFIG. 3and adapted to be attached within the housing101via screws307. Each light bar315a-eis configured for distributing and diffusing light from the respective pair of LEDs311a-eto an individual button102a-efor uniform illumination as well as reduced shadowing and glare. Light bars315a-emay be fabricated from optical fiber or transparent plastic material such as acrylic, polycarbonate, or the like. Each pair of oppositely disposed LEDs311a-emay extend out of the front surface of the PCB304and may be configured to direct light to opposite side edges314of a respective light bar315a-e. As such, when a pair of LEDs311a-eare turned on, light is distributed by the light bar315a-efrom its side edges314and out of its front surface to be directed through the indicia110of the respective button102a-e.

The front housing portion301is adapted to be secured to the rear housing portion302using screws307such that the PCB304and light bars315a-eare disposed therebetween. The front housing portion301comprises a front wall308with a substantially flat front surface. The front wall308may comprise a plurality of openings309extending traversely therethrough that are aligned with and adapted to provide access to the tactile switches305as shown inFIG. 4. Front wall308may further comprise rectangular horizontal openings310extending traversely therethrough aligned with and sized to surround at least a front portion of a respective light bar315a-e. The front housing portion301may comprise an opaque material, such as a black colored plastic or the like, that impedes light transmission through the front wall308to prevent light bleeding from one set of light bar315a-eand corresponding light sources311a-eto another set.

Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the control device100with the buttons102a-eremoved. The control device100may define a plurality of button zones415a-eadapted to receive a plurality of rows of different height buttons. Particularly, each button zone415a-emay be configured to receive a single height button102a-e. For example, the control device100is shown containing five button zones415a-eadapted to receive five single height buttons, but it may comprise any other number of button zones. According to an embodiment, each button zone415a-ecomprises a row of one or more tactile switches305, one or more button alignment orifices316, a light bar315a-e, and a pair of corresponding LEDs311a-e. According to an embodiment shown inFIG. 4, each button zone415a-emay comprise a row of three tactile switches305. The two side switches305of each button zone415a-emay be used for a left/right rocker function, while the center switch305of each button zone415a-emay be used for a single press button or be part of an up/down rocker function. In addition, backlighting of each button zone415a-emay be independently controllable. Because the button zones415a-eare isolated and masked using the front housing portion301, backlighting of one zone does not bleed into the adjacent zones. Additionally, each light bar315a-eis adapted to be disposed in substantially the center of the respective button zone415a-eand comprises a width that spans substantially the width of the front wall308of the front housing portion301such that the indicia110on the corresponded button102a-eis backlighted evenly.

Referring toFIG. 5, two or more button zones415a-emay be combined to receive a multi-zone height button, such as a two-zone height button502, a three-zone height button503, a four-zone height button504, or a five-zone height button505. According to another embodiment, a one zone height button may comprise a rocker button506. As such, the control device100of the present embodiments may interchangeably receive various multi-zone height buttons to provide a vast number of possible configurations, as required by an application, some of which are shown inFIG. 5. Other button assembly configurations are also contemplated by the present embodiments. Additionally, depending on which tactile switches305are exposed by a button, the various single or multi-zone button heights may be configured to operate as a single press button, a left/right rocker, or an up/down rocker, as discussed below. According to an embodiment, the various button configurations beneficially share the same circuit board layout shown inFIG. 3by utilizing one or more of the tactile switches305. In addition, for buttons that span two or more button zones415a-e, one or more lines of indicia110may be included and individually backlit, for example as shown inFIG. 6. Each line of indicia110may be aligned with backlighting of any one of the button zone415a-e. For example, referring toFIG. 6, a three-zone height button503may comprise three lines of indicia, each individually backlit by a respective zone. A five-zone height button505may also comprise three lines of individually backlit indicia, while backlighting of zones containing no indicia may be unused.

The wall-mounted control device100can be configured in the field, such as by an installation technician, in order to accommodate many site-specific requirements. Field configuration can include selection and installation of an appropriate button configuration based on the type of load, the available settings for the load, etc. Advantageously, such field configurability allows an installation technician to adapt the electrical device to changing field requirements (or design specifications). Beneficially, the buttons are field replaceable without removing the device from the wall. After securing the buttons102a-eon the control device100, the installer may program the button configuration through tapping all of the placed buttons. The configured buttons can then be assigned to a particular load or function.

Referring back toFIGS. 1 and 3, and as discussed above, each button102a-ecomprises indicia110that identifies each button's function. This indicia110may be backlit using RGB LEDs311a-eto illuminate the engraved labels. According to the present embodiments, the color of these LEDs311a-emay be adjusted to any color for custom color backlighting. According to the present embodiments, the built-in ambient light sensor317may enable automatic dimming of the backlight brightness or intensity of the LEDs311a-eacross the full range of ambient light in the room. This will allow the engraved buttons102a-eto be at optimal brightness any time of day, maximizing readability and minimizing obtrusiveness under various room condition. In addition, as discussed below, the intensity of the LEDs311a-emay be adjusted to a different brightness based on the operation of the control device100. For example, the control device100may operate according to an indication mode and a backlight mode. The control device100may generally operate the LEDs311a-eor one or more of the buttons102a-epursuant to a backlight mode to be lit at a low brightness—allowing the control device100to be backlit without being obtrusive. For example, the control device100may operate one or more of the LEDs311a-epursuant to the backlight mode when a button102a-eof the control device100is in an idle state for a predetermined period of time. The control device100may switch the LEDs311a-eof one or more buttons102a-eto an indication mode during which they are lit at a higher brightness than idle buttons. Indication mode can be triggered via one or more events, such as but not limited to, upon a press of a button102a-e, when a load turns on, when a load or the control device100or the relevant button102a-echanges a state, based on time of day, or upon a receipt of an alarm, a receipt of a local signal for example from the firmware, or a receipt of a remote signal, such as from a sensor (e.g., a light sensor, a motion sensor, or the like), a building control system, a gateway, a load, a remote control, or the like.

According to a further embodiment, as discussed below in greater detail, the control device100may set different LED backlight colors for indication mode, backlight mode, based on detected light level conditions in the room where the control device100is installed, and/or in response to other conditions. For example, at night the LED color may be set to red and during the day the LED color may be set to blue. Alternatively, the LED may be set to different color temperatures during the day mode and the night mode—for example, night mode backlighting may be set to a warmer color temperature and day mode backlighting may be set to a cool color temperature. Different colors may be also used for indication and backlight modes in combination with day and night modes. For example, at night during indication mode the LED backlight color may be set to red, at night during backlight mode the LED backlight color may switch to orange, then at daytime during indication mode the LED backlight color may be set to green, and at daytime during backlight mode the LED backlight color may be set to blue or it may be turned off in its entirety. Of course other colors may be chosen for indication mode, backlight mode, day mode, and/or night mode. In addition, different colors may be chosen for different state options. For example, one color may be chosen for an audio source and a separate color may be chosen for a video source or a lighting source. The control device100may further dim these LED backlight colors based on ambient light level conditions as determined by the light sensor317.

Referring toFIG. 8, there is shown a flowchart800illustrating the steps for setting the color and intensity levels for backlight LEDs of the control device100, andFIG. 10, there is shown a plot representation of the selected color and intensity settings. Steps802through824may be used to set LED backlighting colors and intensities for all buttons102a-eon control device100such that all the buttons102a-efollow the same color and intensity patterns. According to another embodiment, steps802through824may be repeated to set color and intensity levels for each individual button102a-eon control device100such that buttons102a-emay be backlit individually in different selected colors. For clarity and illustrative purposes, the below descriptions with reference toFIGS. 8 through 11are made with regard to setting backlighting for the upper most button102aassociated with LEDs311ain button zone415a. However, it should be understood that the same methods can be utilized to set backlighting for the other buttons102b-eof the control device100associated with LEDs311b-ein button zones415b-e, respectively.

Initially, in step802the controller701of the control device100receives a command to set backlight color and intensity settings for LEDs311ain button zone415a. According to one embodiment, the backlight LED color and intensity settings may be selected and preset at the factory to a default setting. According to another embodiment, the backlight LED color and intensity settings may be selected by the user, after installation at the installation site, to a desired color for day mode and desired color for night mode.

In step804, the control device100may receive a color selection1022(FIG. 10) for an indication-day mode, for example green. In step806, the control device100may receive a color selection1021for indication-night mode, for example red. In step808, the control device100may receive a color selection1024for a backlight-day mode, for example blue. Then, in step810, the control device100may receive a color selection1023for backlight-night mode, for example orange. It should be understood that although the present embodiments are described with four color settings for different modes, the number of color settings may be scaled up or down to other number of color settings, such as for example two color settings, one for day mode and another for night mode irrespective of whether the control device100is at an indication mode or a backlight mode.

In step812, the control device100may receive a selection of a maximum intensity limit1012for the indication-day mode, for example at 100%, and in step814the control device100may receive a selection of a maximum intensity limit1014for the backlight-day mode, for example at 60%. Similarly, in step816the control device100may receive a minimum intensity limit1011for the indication-night mode, for example at 4%, and in step818the control device100may receive a minimum intensity limit1013for the backlight-night mode, for example at 2%. As discussed above, during the indication mode it is desired that the maximum brightness of the backlighting is higher than during the backlight mode.

In step820, the color and intensity settings received by the control device100in steps804-818are stored in memory702. The color settings can be stored as color values that represent color in a color space, as is known in the art, such as but not limited to RGB (Red-Green-Blue), HSV (hue, saturation, value), HSL (hue, saturation, lightness), XYZ, and xyY color values, or the like.

According to one embodiment, the above selections may be accomplished using buttons102a-eon the control device100. According to another embodiment, the selections may be instead made by a user or an installer via a user interface of an automation setup or control application or app running on a computer, a browser, a mobile computing device, or the like. Referring toFIG. 11, there is shown an exemplary user interface1100for selecting color and intensity levels of backlight LEDs311a-efor the indication-day mode. According to one embodiment, the user interface1100may display a representation of the control device1101comprising a plurality of selectable buttons1102a-eeach associated with one or more button zones415a-eand their associated LEDs311a-eon the actual control device100. The user may select the button1102a-efor which the user desires to set or change the backlight color and/or intensity levels. For example, the user may select button1102ato change the backlight color of LEDs311ain button zone415a. The user interface1100may present one or more color selection objects that may be used by the user to select a desired color to backlight the selected button1102a. For example, the user interface1100may display a hue selection slider1105aand a saturation selection slider1105bfor backlight color selection. According to another embodiment, the color selection object may comprise other forms for color selection. For example, the user interface1100may comprise a rendering of a color space (such as XYZ color space, an RGB color space, or the like) that the user may touch to select a color. In another embodiment, the user interface may comprise a plurality of color fields or buttons, such as selectable color fields1104, each preprogrammed with a predefined color from which the user can select the desired color for button backlighting. The user interface1100may further comprise an object for a maximum intensity selection for the indication-day mode, such as intensity selection slider1106, allowing the user to select and dim the intensity for button1102aof the control device100. After a desired day color and maximum intensities are selected, the selected values may be transmitted from the user interface1100to the control device100. The color and intensity selections for the indication-night mode, backlight-day mode, and backlight-night mode may be accomplished using a user interface similar to the one illustrated inFIG. 11.

In step822, the control device100determines a plurality of diming curves using the intensity settings, including the indication-night mode dimming curve1001, indication-day mode dimming curve1002, backlight-night mode dimming curve1003, and backlight-day mode dimming curve1004. The control device100stores these curves in memory702in step824. Although the present embodiments are described using four dimming curves1001-1004, other number of dimming curves may be utilized, such as for example one continuous dimming curve for the indication mode and another continuous dimming curve for the backlight mode.

According to various embodiments, the dimming curves may be linear curves, logarithmic curves, exponential curves, irregular curves, or the like, or any combinations thereof. According to various embodiments, the dimming curves may be represented using a slope, an equation, a lookup table, or the like, or any combinations thereof. For example, the control device100may determine slopes and offsets or y-intercepts to represent each dimming curves1001-1004as follows:
Slope_Indication-Day=(Max_Intensity_Indication-Day−Min_Intensity_Indication-Night)/(Max_Sensor_Reading−Min_Sensor_Reading)
Offset_Indication-Day=Min_Intensity_Indication-Night
Slope_Indication-Night=(Max_Intensity_Indication-Day−Min_Intensity_Indication-Night)/(Max_Sensor_Reading−Min_Sensor_Reading)
Offset_Indication-Night=Min_Intensity_Indicatione-Night
Slope_Backlight-Day=(Max_Intensity_Backlight-Day−Min_Intensity_Backlight-Night)/(Max_Sensor_Reading−Min_Sensor_Reading)
Offset_Backlight-Day=Min_Intensity_Backlight-Night
Slope_Backlight-Night=(Max_Intensity_Backlight-Day−Min_Intensity_Backlight-Night)/(Max_Sensor_Reading−Min_Sensor_Reading)
Offset_Backlight-Night=Min_Intensity_Backlight-Night
In this illustrative embodiment, the same dimming curve slope and offset is used for indication-day mode and indication-night mode. Similarly, the same dimming curve slope and offset is used for backlight-day mode and backlight-night mode. Although according to another embodiment, different curves may be used. According to an embodiment, the minimum sensor reading value may be set to zero and the maximum sensor reading value may be set to 65535 for a 16-bit working light level range.

Referring toFIG. 10, there are shown an exemplary graph with illustrative dimming curves that can be determined for the indication mode and backlight mode and day night operation, including an indication-night dimming curve1001, an indication-day dimming curve1002, and backlight-night dimming curve1003, and backlight-day dimming curve1004. Each dimming curve1001-1004illustrates the change in LED intensity or brightness as a function of change in the light level readings by the light sensor317. For example, if button102aassociated with LEDS315ais in an indication mode and the light sensor317receives very low light levels, below day/night threshold1005, the control device100will set the LEDs315ato the color1021of the indication-night mode and to the intensity that corresponds to the indication-night mode dimming curve1001. As the light levels detected by the light sensor317increase, the intensity of the LEDs315awould gradually increase following the dimming curve1001from the selected minimum indication-night intensity1011until reaching the intensity corresponding to the day/night threshold1005. When the detected light level exceeds the day/night threshold1005, the LEDs315awould transition to the indication-day color1022and as the ambient light levels continue to increase, the intensity of the LEDs315awould gradually increase following the indication-day mode dimming curve1002from the intensity corresponding to the day-night threshold1005until reaching the selected maximum indication-day mode intensity1012. Similarly, the control device100would automatically transition from day color setting1022to night color setting1021and dim that color transition based on decreasing detected light level conditions. According to an embodiment, the transition between night and day color settings may be either instantaneous or it may cross fade between the day and night color modes using a smooth transition.

When button102ais in a backlight mode, the LEDs315aassociated with button102awill be set to backlight mode operation. When the light sensor317receives low light levels, below the day/night threshold1005, the LEDs315awould be set to the night color1023and intensity pursuant to the backlight-night mode dimming curve1003. As the light levels detected by the light sensor317increase, the intensity of the LEDs315awould gradually increase following the backlight-night dimming curve1003from the selected minimum backlight-night intensity1013until reaching the intensity corresponding to the day/night threshold1005. When the detected light level exceeds the day/night threshold1005, the LEDs315awould transition to the day color1024and as the detected light levels continue to increase, the intensity of the LEDs315awould increase following the backlight-day dimming curve1004until reaching the selected maximum backlight-day mode intensity1014.

While the embodiments discussed above were described using an indication mode and a backlight mode, the control device100may operate the LEDs315a-eusing a single operating mode (irrespective whether the control device100is in an indication state or an idle state) and using a single dimming curve. Alternatively, the control device100may operate the LEDs315a-eusing more than two operating modes. In addition, instead of selecting four end points1011-1014of LED intensity, the control device100may interpolate one or more of these points1011-1014based on a selection of at least one point. For example, the user may select the desired minimum indication-night intensity1011and the desired maximum indication-day intensity1012, and the control device100may interpolate minimum backlight mode intensity1013and maximum backlight mode intensity1014by reducing the intensity levels in both cases by some predetermined rate.

According to another embodiment, the user may select the LEDs315ato be turned off during the indication-day mode, or during any other mode, thereby setting the slope and the offset of the indication-day mode to zero as represented by line1006inFIG. 10. In addition, it is desired that the LED intensity levels for the indication mode are higher than the intensity levels for the backlight mode operation, and that the maximum settings are higher than the minimum settings. For example, if all of the minimum and maximum intensity limits1011-1014are set and none of the slopes of the dimming curves1001-1004are zero, and the minimum indication-night mode intensity limit1011is smaller than the minimum backlight-night mode intensity limit1013, then the minimum indication-night mode intensity limit1011is set to the minimum backlight-night mode intensity limit1013. Similarly, if the maximum indication-day mode intensity limit1012is smaller than the maximum backlight-day mode intensity limit1014, then the maximum indication-day mode intensity limit1012is set to the maximum backlight-day mode intensity limit1014. To prevent negative slopes, if the minimum indication-night mode intensity limit1011is larger than the maximum indication-day mode intensity limit2012, then the maximum indication-day mode intensity limit2012is set to the minimum indication-night mode intensity limit1011—in other words, the slope of the indication dimming curves1001-1002are set to zero and the offset are set to the selected minimum indication-night intensity1011(i.e., to maintain the LEDs at constant minimum indication-night intensity1011). Similarly, if the minimum backlight-night mode intensity limit1013is larger than the maximum backlight-day mode intensity limit1014, then the maximum backlight-day mode intensity limit1014is set to the minimum backlight-night mode intensity limit1013—in other words, the slope of the backlight dimming curves1003-1004are set to zero and the offsets are set to the selected minimum backlight-night intensity1013.

According to an embodiment, the day/night threshold1005may comprise a predetermined light level value, for example a value between zero and 65535 for a 16-bit working light level range. According to another embodiment, the day/night threshold1005may be automatically selected based on the ambient light sensor feedback range detected. According to another embodiment, the day/night threshold1005may be chosen by the user. According to a further embodiment, two or more light level thresholds may be utilized with additional color settings such that control device100may transition over a plurality of colors depending on light level conditions.

Referring toFIG. 9, there is shown a flowchart900illustrating the steps of the operation of the control device100for each button zone415a-ebased on the color and intensity settings of the backlight LEDs311a-e. For clarity and illustrative purposes, the below description describe the steps ofFIG. 9with reference to the upper most button102aassociated with LEDs311ain button zone415a. In step902, the control device100receives a light level reading (I) from the light sensor317. In step904, the control device100determines if the LEDs311aof button102aare in indication or backlight mode. If the LEDs'311aare in indication mode, then in step906the control device100determines whether the received light level reading (I) from the light sensor317is smaller than the day/night threshold (6)1005. If so, in step908, the controller selects the color setting1021and the dimming curve1001of the indication-night mode. If instead the received light level reading (I) from the light sensor317is equal to or larger than the day/night threshold (Ith)1005, then in step910the controller selects the color setting1022and dimming curve1002of the indication-day mode. If in step904, the control device100instead determined that the LEDs311aof button102aare in a backlight mode, then in step912the control device100determines whether the received light level reading (I) from the light sensor317is smaller than the day/night threshold (6)1005. If the LEDs311aare in a backlight mode and the received light level reading (I) is smaller than the day/night threshold (Ith)1005, then in step914the controller selects the color setting1023and the dimming curve1003of the backlight-night mode. If the received light level reading (I) from the light sensor317is equal to or larger than the day/night threshold (Ith)1005, then in step916the controller selects the color setting1024and dimming curve1004of the backlight-day mode.

Then in step918, the control device100determines the LED intensity level using received sensor light level reading (I) and the selected dimming curve. For example, using the slope and intercept formulas discussed above, the control device100may determine the LED intensity levels for the various selected modes using the following formulas:
Dim_Intensity_Indication-Day=(Slope_Indication-Day*Sensor_Reading)+Offset_Indication-Day
Dim_Intensity_Backlight-Day=(Slope_Backlight-Day*Sensor_Reading)+Offset_Backlight-Day
Dim_Intensity_Indication-Night=(Slope_Indication-Night*Sensor_Reading)+Offset_Indication-Night
Dim_Intensity_Backlight-Night=(Slope_Backlight-Night*Sensor_Reading)+Offset_Backlight-Night
According to an embodiment, the above determined LED intensity levels may be rescaled or remapped from a value off of a linear curve to a value off of a logarithmic curve. For example, referring toFIG. 10, these determined LED intensity values may be rescaled to substantially follow logarithmic curves1031and1032. This can be accomplished using a mapping function and a table, a conversion formula, or the like. Although according to another embodiment, the dimming curves determined in step822inFIG. 8may be already in a logarithmic form, instead of a linear form.

Then in step920, the control device100drives the LEDs311ausing the selected color setting and the determined LED intensity level. Particularly, for each LED emitter color of LEDs311a, the control device100may determine the pulse width modulation (PWM) intensity at which to drive the respective LED emitter color based on a selected color and the determined intensity value. For example, the control device100may use substantially the same systems and methods to drive the LED's311a-edescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/787,935, filed on Feb. 11, 2020, and titled “LED Button Calibration for a Wall Mounted Control Device”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The control device100then returns to step902to determine whether to change its operation mode.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus, system, and method for an automatic dimming and color adjusting backlight for wall mounted control device buttons. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed embodiments. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.

Although the features and elements of aspects of the embodiments are described being in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone, without the other features and elements of the embodiments, or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the embodiments. Thus the embodiments are capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items.

Additionally, the various methods described above are not meant to limit the aspects of the embodiments, or to suggest that the aspects of the embodiments should be implemented following the described methods. The purpose of the described methods is to facilitate the understanding of one or more aspects of the embodiments and to provide the reader with one or many possible implementations of the processed discussed herein. The steps performed during the described methods are not intended to completely describe the entire process but only to illustrate some of the aspects discussed above. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the steps may be performed in a different order and that some steps may be eliminated or substituted. For example, step822ofFIG. 8may be performed after steps906and912inFIG. 9. In addition, step904may be performed after steps906and912inFIG. 9.

All United States patents and applications, foreign patents, and publications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the different aspects of the embodiments.