Patent Publication Number: US-2022230533-A1

Title: Battery-powered control device including a rotation portion

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/035,897, filed Sep. 29, 2020, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 16/245,027, filed Jan. 10, 2019, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 10,856,396, issued on Dec. 1, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/789,666, filed on Oct. 20, 2017, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 10,219,359, issued on Feb. 26, 2019, which claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/485,612, filed Apr. 14, 2017, and Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/411,359, filed Oct. 21, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Battery-powered remote controls are used throughout the home and office to control one or more remote loads, such as lighting loads, motorized window treatments, small electronic devices, and the like. The battery-powered remote control may be handheld or mounted to a wall or tabletop stand. The battery-powered remote control may perform multiple tasks that drain the battery of the device, such as wirelessly communicate data to the load for controlling the load, store settings/conditions of the load, provide feedback (e.g., visual and/or auditory) to a user regarding the state of the load, etc. As these battery-powered remote controls provide additional features and functionality, the battery life becomes a limiting factor. Moreover, many battery-powered remote controls continue to shrink in size, which limits the size of the battery and in turn, the overall battery life of the control. Accordingly, the reduction in size and increased functionality places additional strain on the battery life of these battery-powered remote controls. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided herein are examples of techniques and features that may be implemented in a remote control device. Some examples of these remote control devices provide a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system, although the concepts described herein may be applicable to remote control devices that are not used as part of a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. Implementation of the remote control device may enable energy savings and/or advanced control features. For example, remote control devices that provide a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system may enable energy savings and/or advanced control features without requiring any electrical re-wiring and/or without requiring the replacement of any existing mechanical switches. The remote control device may be configured to associate with, and control, a load control device of a load control system, without requiring access to the electrical wiring of the load control system. An electrical load may be electrically connected to the load control device such that the remote control device may control an amount of power delivered to the electrical load via the load control device. 
     As described herein, a control device may include a sensing circuit, a processing circuit (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), and a wake-up logic circuit. The sensing circuit may be configured to generate a sensing signal, which for example, may be changing or in a steady state condition. The processing circuit may be configured to enter a sleep state when the sensing signal is in a steady state condition, for example, when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The wake-up logic circuit configured to generate and pulse-width modulate (PWM) an enable control signal when the processing circuit is in the sleep state to periodically enable and disable the sensing circuit. The wake-up logic circuit may also be configured to receive the sensing signal from the sensing circuit, determine that a magnitude of the sensing signal has changed, and, upon determining that the magnitude of the sensing signal has changed, generate a wake-up signal for causing the processing circuit to change from the sleep state to an active state. 
     The control device may comprise a rotatable portion, a one or more magnetic elements (e.g., a magnetic ring) coupled to the rotatable portion, and one or more sensing circuits (e.g., a first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits) that are configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control device may also comprise a control circuit configured to determine an angular speed and/or an angular direction of the rotatable portion in response to the first and second sensor control signals generated by the first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits, respectively. The control device may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may be configured to disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit when the control device is operating in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion. The control circuit may determine the angular speed and/or the angular direction of the rotatable portion in response to the first and second sensor control signals while the rotatable portion is being rotated during the normal mode. 
     The control device may comprise a battery for producing a battery voltage. The control circuit may have a power supply for generating a regulated supply voltage and an analog-to-digital converter referenced to the battery voltage. The control circuit may store a magnitude of the regulated supply voltage. The regulated supply voltage may be provided to an input of the analog-to-digital converter. The control circuit may sample the magnitude of the regulated supply voltage at the input of the analog-to-digital converter to generate a measured voltage. The control circuit may calculate the magnitude of the battery voltage using the magnitude of the measured voltage and the stored magnitude of the regulated supply voltage. 
     The control device may comprise a wireless communication circuit powered from the battery and configured to transmit wireless signals, and at least one LED also powered from the battery. The control circuit may be configured to control the wireless communication circuit to transmit the wireless signals and to control the at least one LED to illuminate the at least one LED in different segments of time within a repeatable time period. 
     The control circuit is configured to detect a persistent actuation of an actuator of the remote control device (e.g., a continuous rotation of the rotatable portion) after a maximum usage period of persistent adjustment of the first control signal. The control circuit is configured to continue transmitting the wireless signals, but stop illuminating the light bar in response detecting the persistent actuation of the actuator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram of an example load control system that includes an example retrofit remote control device. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an example retrofit remote control device (e.g., a rotary remote control device) 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the example retrofit remote control device illustrated in  FIG. 2 , with a control module of the remote control device removed from a mounting assembly thereof. 
         FIG. 4A  is a front exploded view of the control module illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a front exploded view of the control module illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified block diagram of an example remote control device. 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a first encoder control signal and a second encoder control signal when an example rotary remote control device is actuated along a first direction. 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a first encoder control signal and a second encoder control signal when an example rotary remote control device is actuated along a second direction. 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified flowchart of an example wake-up procedure that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device. 
         FIG. 8  is a simplified flowchart of an example usage detection procedure that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of an example timing procedure that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device. 
         FIG. 10  is a simplified block diagram of another example remote control device. 
         FIG. 11  is a simplified block diagram of an example wake-up logic circuit. 
         FIG. 12  shows example waveforms illustrating the operation of the wake-up enable circuit of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram of an example wake-up procedure that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more standard mechanical toggle switches may be replaced by more advanced load control devices (e.g., dimmer switches). Such a load control device may operate to control an amount of power delivered from an alternative current (AC) power source to an electrical load. The procedure of replacing a standard mechanical toggle switch with a load control device typically requires disconnecting electrical wiring, removing the mechanical toggle switch from an electrical wallbox, installing the load control device into the wallbox, and reconnecting the electrical wiring to the load control device. Often, such a procedure is performed by an electrical contractor or other skilled installer. Average consumers may not feel comfortable undertaking the electrical wiring that is necessary to complete installation of a load control device. Accordingly, there is a need for a load control system that may be installed into an existing electrical system that has a mechanical toggle switch, without requiring any electrical wiring work. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example load control system  100 . As shown, the load control system  100  is configured as a lighting control system that includes a load control device, such as a controllable light source  110 , and a remote control device  120 , such as a battery-powered rotary remote control device. The remote control device  120  may include a wireless transmitter. The load control system  100  may include a standard, single pole single throw (SPST) maintained mechanical switch  104  (e.g., a “toggle switch” or a “light switch”) that may be in place prior to installation of the remote control device  120 . For example, the switch  104  may be pre-existing in the load control system  100  prior to the installation of the remote control device  120 . The switch  104  may be electrically coupled in series between an alternating current (AC) power source  102  and the controllable light source  110 . The switch  104  may include a toggle actuator  106  that may be actuated to toggle, for example to turn on and/or turn off, the controllable light source  110 . The controllable light source  110  may be electrically coupled to the AC power source  102  when the switch  104  is closed (e.g., conductive), and may be disconnected from the AC power source  102  when the switch  104  is open (e.g., nonconductive). 
     The remote control device  120  may be operable to transmit wireless signals, for example radio frequency (RF) signals  108 , to the controllable light source  110  for controlling the intensity of the controllable light source  110 . The controllable light source  110  may be associated with the remote control device  120  during a configuration procedure of the load control system  100 , such that the controllable light source  110  is then responsive to the RF signals  108  transmitted by the remote control device  120 . An example of a configuration procedure for associating a remote control device with a load control device is described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0111491, published May 15, 2008, entitled “Radio-Frequency Lighting Control System,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The controllable light source  110  may include an internal lighting load (not shown), such as, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) light engine, a compact fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, or other suitable light source. The controllable light source  110  includes a housing  112  that defines an end portion  114  through which light emitted from the lighting load may shine. The controllable light source  110  may include an enclosure  115  that is configured to house one or more electrical components of the controllable light source  110 , such as an integral load control circuit (not shown), for controlling the intensity of the lighting load between a low-end intensity (e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g., approximately 100%). The controllable light source  110  may include a wireless communication circuit (not shown) housed inside the enclosure  115 , such that the controllable light source  110  may be operable to receive the RF signals  108  transmitted by the remote control device  120  and control the intensity of the lighting load in response to the received RF signals. As shown, the enclosure  115  is attached to the housing  112 . Alternatively, the enclosure  115  may be integral with, for example monolithic with, the housing  112 , such that the enclosure  115  defines an enclosure portion of the housing  112 . The controllable light source  110  may include a screw-in base  116  that is configured to be screwed into a standard Edison socket, such that the controllable light source may be coupled to the AC power source  102 . The controllable light source  110  may be configured as a downlight (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 ) that may be installed in a recessed light fixture. The controllable light source  110  is not limited to the illustrated screw-in base  116 , and may include any suitable base, for example a bayonet-style base or other suitable base providing electrical connections. 
     The load control system  100  may also include one or more other devices configured to wirelessly communicate with the controllable light source  110 . As shown, the load control system  100  includes a handheld, battery-powered, remote control device  130  for controlling the controllable light source  110 . The remote control device  130  may include one or more buttons, for example, an on button  132 , an off button  134 , a raise button  135 , a lower button  136 , and a preset button  138 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The remote control device  130  may include a wireless communication circuit (not shown) for transmitting digital messages (e.g., including commands to control the lighting load) to the controllable light source  110 , for example via the RF signals  108 , responsive to actuations of one or more of the buttons  132 ,  134 ,  135 ,  136 , and  138 . Alternatively, the remote control device  130  may be mounted to a wall or supported by a pedestal, for example a pedestal configured to be mounted on a tabletop. Examples of handheld battery-powered remote controls are described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,330,638, issued Dec. 11, 2012, entitled “Wireless Battery Powered Remote Control Having Multiple Mounting Means,” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,573,208, issued Aug. 22, 1009, entitled “Method Of Programming A Lighting Preset From A Radio-Frequency Remote Control,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Further, the load control system  100  may include with multiple load control devices (e.g., dimmer switches) and/or a system controller, and, for example, the remote control device  120  and/or the remote control device  130  may communicate with one or more load control devices and/or with the system controller (e.g., directly with the system controller), and the system controller may communication with one or more load control devices and/or controllable electrical loads. 
     The load control system  100  may also include one or more of a remote occupancy sensor or a remote vacancy sensor (not shown) for detecting occupancy and/or vacancy conditions in a space surrounding the sensors. The occupancy or vacancy sensors may be configured to transmit digital messages to the controllable light source  110 , for example via RF signals (e.g., the RF signals  108 ), in response to detecting occupancy or vacancy conditions. Examples of RF load control systems having occupancy and vacancy sensors are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,940,167, issued May 10, 2011, entitled “Battery Powered Occupancy Sensor,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011, entitled “Radio Frequency Lighting Control System With Occupancy Sensing,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issued Jun. 12, 2012, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Configuring A Wireless Sensor,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The load control system  100  may include a remote daylight sensor (not shown) for measuring a total light intensity in the space around the daylight sensor. The daylight sensor may be configured to transmit digital messages, such as a measured light intensity, to the controllable light source  110 , for example via RF signal (e.g., the RF signals  108 ), such that the controllable light source  110  is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load in response to the measured light intensity. Examples of RF load control systems having daylight sensors are described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013, entitled “Wireless Battery-Powered Daylight Sensor,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013, entitled “Method Of Calibrating A Daylight Sensor,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The load control system  100  may include other types of input devices, for example, radiometers, cloudy-day sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, air-quality sensors, security sensors, proximity sensors, fixture sensors, partition sensors, keypads, kinetic or solar-powered remote controls, key fobs, cell phones, smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants, personal computers, laptops, time clocks, audio-visual controls, safety devices, power monitoring devices (such as power meters, energy meters, utility submeters, utility rate meters), central control transmitters, residential, commercial, or industrial controllers, or any combination of these input devices. 
     During the configuration procedure of the load control system  100 , the controllable light source  110  may be associated with a wireless control device, for example the remote control device  120 , by actuating an actuator on the controllable light source  110  and then actuating (e.g., pressing and holding) an actuator on the wireless remote control device (e.g., the rotating portion  122  of the remote control device  120 ) for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., approximately 10 seconds). Although described with reference to a rotating portion  122 , it should be appreciated that the remote control device  120  may include any combination and types of actuators configured to be response to user input, for example, a capacitive touch surface (e.g., and associated capacitive touch sensors), a resistive touch surface (e.g., and associated resistive touch sensors), a magnetic touch surface (e.g., and associated magnetic sensors), a toggle actuator, etc. Further, the rotating portion  122  may include one or more of the additional actuators (e.g., a capacitive touch surface on the front surface of the rotating portion  122 , the rotating portion  122  may actuate, and/or the like). 
     Digital messages transmitted by the remote control device  120 , for example directed to the controllable light source  110 , may include a command and identifying information, such as a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number) associated with the remote control device  120 . After being associated with the remote control device  120 , the controllable light source  110  may be responsive to messages containing the unique identifier of the remote control device  120 . The controllable light source  110  may be associated with one or more other wireless control devices of the load control system  100 , such as one or more of the remote control device  130 , the occupancy sensor, the vacancy sensor, and/or the daylight sensor, for example using a similar association process. 
     After a remote control device, for example the remote control device  120  or the remote control device  130 , is associated with the controllable light source  110 , the remote control device may be used to associate the controllable light source  110  with the occupancy sensor, the vacancy sensor, and/or the daylight sensor, without actuating the actuator  118  of the controllable light source  110 , for example as described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0222122, published Aug. 29, 2013, entitled “Two Part Load Control System Mountable To A Single Electrical Wallbox,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The remote control device  120  may be configured to be attached to the toggle actuator  106  of the switch  104  when the toggle actuator  106  is in the on position (e.g., typically pointing upwards) and the switch  104  is closed and conductive. As shown, the remote control device  120  may include a rotating portion  122  and a base portion  124 . The base portion  124  may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator  106  of the switch  104 . The rotating portion  122  may be supported by the base portion  124  and may be rotatable about the base portion  124 . 
     When the remote control device  120  is mounted over the toggle actuator of a switch (e.g., the toggle actuator  106 ), the base portion  124  may function to secure the toggle actuator  106  from being toggled. For example, the base portion  124  may be configured to maintain the toggle actuator  106  in an on position, such that a user of the remote control device  120  is not able to mistakenly switch the toggle actuator  106  to the off position, which may disconnect the controllable light source  110  from the AC power source  102 , such that controllable light source  110  may not be controlled by one or more remote control devices of the load control system  100  (e.g., the remote control devices  120  and/or  130 ), which may in turn cause user confusion. 
     As shown, the remote control device  120  is battery-powered, not wired in series electrical connection between the AC power source  102  and the controllable light source  110  (e.g., does not replace the mechanical switch  104 ), such that the controllable light source  110  receives a full AC voltage waveform from the AC power source  102 , and such that the controllable light source  110  does not receive a phase-control voltage that may be created by a standard dimmer switch. Because the controllable light source  110  receives the full AC voltage waveform, multiple controllable light sources (e.g., controllable light sources  110 ) may be coupled in parallel on a single electrical circuit (e.g., coupled to the mechanical switch  104 ). The multiple controllable light sources may include light sources of different types (e.g., incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, and/or LED light sources). The remote control device  120  may be configured to control one or more of the multiple controllable light sources, for example substantially in unison. In addition, if there are multiple controllable light sources coupled in parallel on a single circuit, each controllable light source may be zoned, for example to provide individual control of each controllable light source. For example, a first controllable light  110  source may be controlled by the remote control device  120 , while a second controllable light source  110  may be controlled by the remote control device  130 ). In prior art systems, a mechanical switch (such as the switch  104 , for example) typically controls such multiple light sources in unison (e.g., turns them on and/or off together). 
     The remote control device  120  may be part of a larger RF load control system than that depicted in  FIG. 1 . Examples of RF load control systems are described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,442, issued on May 18, 1999, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Controlling And Determining The Status Of Electrical Devices From Remote Locations,” and commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0206983, published Aug. 20, 2009, entitled “Communication Protocol For A Radio Frequency Load Control System,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     While the load control system  100  is described herein with reference to the single-pole system shown in  FIG. 1 , one or both of the controllable light source  110  and the remote control device  120  may be implemented in a “three-way” lighting system having two single-pole double-throw (SPDT) mechanical switches, which may be referred to as “three-way” switches, for controlling a single electrical load. To illustrate, an example system may comprise two remote control devices  120 , with one remote control device  120  connected to the toggle actuator of each SPDT switch. In such a system, the toggle actuators of each SPDT switch may be positioned such that the SPDT switches form a complete circuit between the AC power source  102  and the electrical load  110  before the remote control devices  120  are installed on the toggle actuators. 
     The load control system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  may provide a simple retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The load control system  100  may provide energy savings and/or advanced control features, for example without requiring any electrical re-wiring and/or without requiring the replacement of any existing mechanical switches. To install and use the load control system  100  of  FIG. 1 , a consumer may replace an existing lamp with the controllable light source  110 , switch the toggle actuator  106  of the mechanical switch  104  to the on position, install (e.g., mount) the remote control device  120  onto the toggle actuator  106 , and associate the remote control device  120  and the controllable light source  110  with each other, for example as described above. 
     It should be appreciated that the load control system  100  need not include the controllable light source  110 . For example, in lieu of the controllable light source  110 , the load control system  100  may alternatively include a plug-in load control device for controlling an external lighting load. For example, the plug-in load control device may be configured to be plugged into a receptacle of a standard electrical outlet that is electrically connected to an AC power source. The plug-in load control device may have one or more receptacles to which one or more plug-in electrical loads, such a table lamp or a floor lamp, may be plugged. The plug-in load control device may be configured to control the intensity of the lighting loads plugged into the receptacles of the plug-in load control device. It should further be appreciated that the remote control device  120  is not limited to being associated with, and controlling, a single load control device. For example, the remote control device  120  may be configured to control multiple controllable load control devices, for example substantially in unison. 
     Examples of remote control devices configured to be mounted over existing light switches are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0117871, published May 4, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0371534, published Dec. 24, 2015, both entitled “Battery-Powered Retrofit Remote Control Device,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  depict an example remote control device  200  (e.g., a battery-powered rotary remote control device) that may be deployed, for example, as the remote control device  120  of the load control system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The remote control device  200  may be configured to be mounted over a toggle actuator  204  of a standard light switch  202  (e.g., the toggle actuator  106  of the SPST maintained mechanical switch  104  shown in  FIG. 1 ). The remote control device  200  may be installed over the toggle actuator  204  of an installed light switch  202  without removing a faceplate  206  that is mounted to the light switch  202  (e.g., via faceplate screws  208 ). 
     The remote control device  200  may include a mounting assembly  210  and a control module  220  that may be attached to the mounting assembly  210 . The mounting assembly  210  may be more generally referred to as a base portion of the remote control device  200 . The control module  220  may include a rotating portion that is rotatable with respect to the mounting assembly  210 . For example, as shown, the control module  220  includes an annular rotating portion  222  that is configured to rotate about the mounting assembly  210 . The remote control device  200  may be configured such that the control module  220  and the mounting assembly  210  are removeably attachable to one another.  FIG. 3  depicts the remote control device  200  with the control module  220  detached from the mounting assembly  210 . 
     The mounting assembly  210  may be configured to be fixedly attached to the actuator of a mechanical switch, such as the toggle actuator  204  of the light switch  202 , and may be configured to maintain the actuator in the on position. For example, as shown the mounting assembly  210  may include a base  211  that defines a toggle actuator opening  212  that extends there through and that is configured to receive at least a portion of the toggle actuator  204 . The mounting assembly  210  may include a bar  212  that may be operably coupled to the base  211 , and may be configured to be moveable, for instance translatable, relative to the base  211 . The base  211  may be configured to carry a screw  214  that, when driven in a first direction may case the bar  212  to be translated relative to the base  211  such that the bar  212  engages with the toggle actuator  204 , thereby fixedly attaching the mounting assembly  210  in position relative to the toggle actuator  204  of the light switch  202  when the toggle actuator  204  is in the up position or the down position. With the mounting assembly  210  so fixed in position, the toggle actuator  204  may be prevented from being switched to the off position. In this regard, a user of the remote control device  200  may be unable to inadvertently switch the light switch  202  off when the remote control device  200  is mounted to the light switch  202 . 
     The remote control device  200  may be configured to enable releasable attachment of the control unit  220  to the mounting assembly  210 . The mounting assembly  210  may include one or more engagement features that are configured to engage with complementary engagement features of the control unit  220 . For example, the base  211  of the mounting assembly  210  may include resilient snap-fit connectors  216 , and the control unit  220  may define corresponding recesses  215  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 4A ) that are configured to receive the snap-fit connectors  216 . The mounting assembly  210  may include a release mechanism that is operable to cause the control unit  220  to be released from an attached position relative to the mounting assembly  210 . As shown, the base  211  of the mounting assembly  210  may include a release tab  218  that may be actuated (e.g., pushed up) to release the control unit  220  from the mounting assembly  210 . In another example, the release tab  218  may be pulled down to release the control unit  220  from the mounting assembly  210 . 
     The control module  220  may be attached to the mounting assembly  210  without requiring the release tab  218  to be operated to the release position. Stated differently, the control module  220  may be attached to the mounting assembly when the release tab  218  is in the locking position. For example, the clips of the control module  220  may be configured to resiliently deflect around the locking members of the release tab  218  and to snap into place behind rear edges of the locking members, thereby securing the control module  220  to the mounting assembly  210  in an attached position. The control module  220  may be detached from the mounting assembly  210  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3 ), for instance to access one or more batteries  230  ( FIG. 4A ) that may be used to power the control module  220 . 
     When the control module  220  is attached to the mounting assembly  210  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2 ), the rotating portion  222  may be rotatable in opposed directions about the mounting assembly  210 , for example in the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. The mounting assembly  210  may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator  204  of the light switch  202  such that the application of rotational movement to the rotating portion  222  does not actuate the toggle actuator  204 . The remote control device  200  may be configured to be mounted to the toggle actuator  204  both when a “switched up” position of the toggle actuator  204  corresponds to an on position of the light switch  202 , and when a “switched down” position of the toggle actuator  204  corresponds to the on position of the light switch  202 , while maintaining functionality of the remote control device  200 . 
     The control module  220  may include an actuation portion  224 , which may be operated separately from or in concert with the rotating portion  222 . As shown, the actuation portion  224  may include a circular surface within an opening defined by the rotating portion  222 . In an example implementation, the actuation portion  224  may be configured to move inward towards the light switch  202  to actuate a mechanical switch (not shown) inside the control module  220 , for instance as described herein. The actuation portion  224  may be configured to return to an idle or rest position (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2 ) after being actuated. In this regard, the actuation portion  224  may be configured to operate as a toggle control of the control module  220 . 
     The remote control device  200  may be configured to transmit one or more wireless communication signals (e.g., RF signals  108 ) to one or more control devices (e.g., the control devices of the load control system  100 , such as the controllable light source  110 ). The remote control device  200  may include a wireless communication circuit, e.g., an RF transceiver or transmitter (not shown), via which one or more wireless communication signals may be sent and/or received. The control module  220  may be configured to transmit digital messages (e.g., including commands) in response to operation of the rotating portion  222  and/or the actuation portion  224 . The digital messages may be transmitted to one or more devices associated with the remote control device  200 , such as the controllable light source  110 . For example, the control module  220  may be configured to transmit a command via one or more RF signals  108  to raise the intensity of the controllable light source  110  in response to a clockwise rotation of the rotating portion  222 , and a command to lower the intensity of the controllable light source in response to a counterclockwise rotation of the rotating portion  222 . The control module  220  may be configured to transmit a command to toggle the controllable light source  110  (e.g., from off to on or vice versa) in response to an actuation of the actuation portion  224 . In addition, the control module  220  may be configured to transmit a command to turn the controllable light source  110  on in response to an actuation of the actuation portion  224  (e.g., if the control module  220  knows that the controllable light source  110  is presently off). The control module  220  may be configured to transmit a command to turn the controllable light source  110  off in response to an actuation of the actuation portion  224  (e.g., if the control module  220  knows that the controllable light source  110  is presently on). 
     The control module  220  may include a visual indicator, e.g., a light bar  226  located between the rotating portion  222  and the actuation portion  224 . For example, the light bar  226  may be define a full circle as shown in  FIG. 2 . The light bar  226  may be attached to or embedded within a periphery of the actuation portion  224 , and may move with the actuation portion  224  when the actuation portion  224  is actuated. The remote control device  200  may provide feedback via the light bar  226 , for instance while the rotating portion  222  is being rotated and/or after the remote control device  200  is actuated (e.g., the rotating portion  222  is rotated and/or the actuation portion  224  is actuated). The feedback may indicate, for example, that the remote control device  200  is transmitting one or more RF signals  108 . To illustrate, the light bar  226  may be illuminated for a few seconds (e.g., 1-2 seconds) after the remote control device  200  is actuated, and then may be turned off (e.g., to conserve battery life). The light bar  226  may be illuminated to different intensities, for example depending on whether the rotating portion  222  is being rotated to raise or lower the intensity of the lighting load. The light bar  226  may be illuminated to provide feedback of the actual intensity of a lighting load being controlled by the remote control device  200  (e.g., the controllable light source  110 ). 
     As described herein, the remote control device  200  may comprise a battery (e.g., such as the battery  230 ) for powering at least the remote control device  200 . The remote control device  200  may be configured to detect a low battery condition and provide an indication of the condition such that a user may be alerted to replace the battery. 
     Multiple levels of low battery indications may be provided, for example, depending on the amount of power remaining in the battery. For instance, the remote control device  200  may be configured to provide two levels of low battery indications. A first level of indication may be provided when remaining battery power falls below a first threshold (e.g., reaching 20% of full capacity or 80% of battery life). The first level of indication may be provided, for example, by illuminating and/or flashing a portion of the light bar  226  (e.g., a bottom portion of the light bar  226 ). To distinguish from the illumination used as user feedback and/or to attract a user&#39;s attention, the portion of the light bar  226  used to provide the first level of low battery indication may be illuminated in a different color (e.g., red) and/or in a specific pattern (e.g., flashing). The low battery indication may be provided via the light bar  226  regardless of whether the light bar  226  is being used to provide user feedback as described herein. For example, the low battery indication may be provided via the light bar  226  when the light bar  226  is not being used to provide user feedback (e.g., when the actuation portion  224  is not actuated and/or when the rotating portion  222  is not being rotated). The low battery indication may be provided when the light bar  226  is being used to provide user feedback. In such a case, the low battery indication may be distinguished from the user feedback because, for example, the low battery indication is illuminated in a different color (e.g., red) and/or in a specific pattern (e.g., flashing). 
     Additionally or alternatively, the first level of indication may be provided, for example, by illuminating and/or flashing the bottom portion of the light bar  226 , as well as the control module release tab  218 . The control module release tab  218 , which may be used to remove the control module  220  and obtain access to the battery, may be illuminated. The illumination may be generated by backlighting the control module release tab  218 . For example, the control module release tab  218  may comprise a translucent (e.g., transparent, clear, and/or diffusive) material and may be illuminated by one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs) located above and/or to the side of the control module release tab  218  (e.g., inside the control module  220 ). The illumination may be steady or flashed (e.g., in a blinking manner) such that the low battery condition may be called to a user&#39;s attention. Further, by illuminating the control module release tab  218 , the mechanism for replacing the battery may be highlighted for the user. The user may actuate the control module release tab  218  (e.g., by pushing up towards the base portion  210  or pulling down away from the base portion  210 ) to remove the control module  220  from the base portion  210 . The user may then remove and replace the battery. 
     A second level of low battery indication may be provided when the remaining battery power falls below a second threshold. The second threshold may be set to represent a more urgent situation. For example, the threshold may be set at 5% of full capacity or 95% of the battery life. The second level of indication may be provided, for example, by illuminating and/or flashing one or both of the bottom portion of the light bar  226  and the control module release tab  218 . Since the battery may be critically low when the second level of low battery indication is generated, the remote control device  200  may be configured to not only provide the low battery indication but also take other measures to conserve battery power. For instance, the remote control device  200  may be configured to stop providing user feedback via the light bar  226  (e.g., to not illuminate the light bar). 
       FIG. 4A  is a front exploded view and  FIG. 4B  is a rear exploded view of the control module  220  of the remote control device  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . The light bar  226  may be attached to the actuation portion  224  around a periphery of the actuation portion  224 . When the actuation portion  224  is received within an opening  229  of the rotating portion  222 , the light bar  226  may be located between the actuation portion  224  and the rotating portion  222 . 
     The control module  220  may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly  240  having a PCB  242 . The PCB assembly  240  may comprise a control circuit (not shown) mounted to the PCB  242 . The PCB assembly  240  may comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  244  (e.g., twelve white LEDs) arranged around the perimeter of the PCB  242  to illuminate the light bar  226 . The PCB assembly  240  may include a mechanical tactile switch  246  mounted to a center of the PCB  242 . The control module  220  may further comprise a carrier  250  to which the PCB  242  is connected. The PCB  242  may be attached to the carrier  250  via snap-fit connectors  252 . The carrier  250  may include a plurality of tabs  254  arranged around a circumference of the carrier  250 . The tabs  254  may be configured to be received within corresponding channels  256  defined by the rotating portion  222 , to thereby couple the rotating portion  222  to the carrier  250  and allow for rotation of the rotating portion  222  around the carrier  250 . As shown, the carrier  250  may define the recesses  215 . When the control unit  220  is connected to the mounting assembly, the snap-fit connectors  216  of the mounting assembly  210  may be received in the recesses  215  of the carrier  250 . 
     The carrier  250  and the PCB  242  may remain fixed in position relative to the mounting assembly as the rotating portion  222  is rotated around the carrier  250 . The PCB  242  and the carrier  250  may further comprise respective openings  248 ,  258  that may be configured to receive at least a portion of the toggle actuator  204  of the light switch  202  when the control module  220  is mounted to the mounting assembly  210 , such that the rotating portion  322  rotates about the toggle actuator  304  when operated. 
     The control unit  320  may include a battery retention strap  232  that may be configured to hold the battery  230  in place between the battery retention strap  232  and the PCB  242  of the control unit  220 . The control unit  220  may be configured such that the battery  230  is located in space within the control unit  220  that is not occupied by a toggle actuator. When the PCB  242  is connected to the carrier  250 , the battery  230  may be located between the PCB  242  and the carrier  350  and may be electrically connected to the control circuit on the PCB  242 . The battery retention strap  352  may be configured to operate as a first electrical contact for the battery  230 . A second electrical contact may be located on a rear-facing surface of the PCB  242 . When the control module  220  is removed from the mounting assembly  210 , the battery  230  may be removed from the control module through the opening  258  in the carrier  250 . 
     When the actuation portion  224  is pressed, the actuation portion  224  may move along the z-direction (e.g., towards the mounting assembly  210 ) until an inner surface of the actuation portion  224  actuates the mechanical tactile switch  248 . The control unit  220  may include a resilient return spring  260  that may be located between the actuation portion  224  and the PCB  242 . The return spring  260  may be configured to be attached to the PCB  242 . The actuation portion  224  may define a projection  262  that extends rearward from an inner surface of the actuation portion  224 . When a force is applied to the actuation portion  224  (e.g., when the actuation portion  224  is pressed by a user of the remote control device), the actuation portion  224 , and thus the light bar  226 , may move in the z-direction until the projection  262  actuates the mechanical tactile switch  246 . The return spring  260  may compress under application of the force. When application of the force is ceased (e.g., the user no longer presses the actuation portion  224 ), the return spring  260  may decompress, thereby to biasing the actuation portion  224  forward such that the actuation portion  224  abuts a rim  274  of the rotating portion  222 . In this regard, the return spring  260  may operate to return the actuation portion  224  from an activated (e.g., pressed) position to a rest position. 
     The control module  220  may further comprise a rotational sensing system, e.g., a magnetic sensing system, such as a Hall-effect sensor system, for determining the rotational speed and direction of rotation of the rotating portion  222 . The Hall-effect sensor system may comprise one or more magnetic elements, e.g., a circular magnetic element, such as a magnetic strip. One example of the magnetic strip is a magnetic ring  270 , for example, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The magnetic ring  270  may be located along (e.g., connected to) an inner surface  271  of the rotating portion  222 . The magnetic ring  270  may extend around the circumference of the rotating portion  222 . The magnetic ring  270  may include a plurality of alternating positive north-pole sections  272  (e.g., labeled with “N” in  FIG. 4 ) and negative south-pole sections  274  (e.g., labeled with “S” in  FIG. 4 ). Alternatively, the control module  220  may comprise a plurality of magnetic elements of alternating position and negative charge arranged on the inner surface  271  of the rotating portion  222 . 
     The rotational sensing system of the control unit  220  may include one or more magnetic sensing circuits, such as Hall-effect sensing circuits. Each Hall-effect sensing circuit may comprise a Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  280 A,  280 B that may be mounted on the PCB  242  (e.g., to a rear side of the PCB as shown in  FIG. 4B ). The magnetic strip  270  may be configured to generate a magnetic field in a first direction (e.g., perpendicular to the z-direction, along the x-y plane), while the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits  280 A,  280 B may be responsive to magnetic fields in a second direction (e.g., the z-direction) that is angularly offset from the first direction (e.g., offset by 90 degrees). For example, the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits  280 A,  280 B of each Hall-effect sensing circuit may be responsive to magnetic fields directed in the z-direction (e.g., perpendicular to the plane of the PCB  242 ). The Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits  284 A,  284 B may be operable to detect passing of the positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip  280  as the rotating portion  222  is rotated about the attachment portion  262 . The control circuit of the control unit  220  may be configured to determine a rotational speed and/or direction of rotation of the rotating portion  222  in response to the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  284 A,  284 B. 
     The magnetic strip  270  may generate magnetic fields in directions perpendicular to the z-direction, e.g., in the x-y plane. Thus, each Hall-effect sensing circuit may further comprise one or more magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  284 A,  282 B,  284 B for conducting and directing the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic strip  270  to direct the magnetic fields in the z-direction at the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  280 A,  280 B. Each Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  280 A,  280 B may be located adjacent to one or more magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B,  284 A,  284 B. Each magnetic flux pipe structure  282 A,  282 B,  284 A,  284 B may be configured to conduct and direct respective magnetic fields generated by the magnetic strip  270  toward corresponding Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  280 A,  280 B. For example, the magnetic flux pipe structure  282 A and  284 A may be configured to conduct and direct respective magnetic fields generated by the magnetic strip  270  toward the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  280 A, while the magnetic flux pipe structure  282 B and  284 B may be configured to conduct and direct respective magnetic fields generated by the magnetic strip  270  toward Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  280 B. 
     As shown, the magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B may be connected to the carrier  250 , and the magnetic flux pipe structures  284 A,  284 B may be mounted to the PCB  242 . However, any of the magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B,  284 A,  284 B may be mounted to any other component of the control unit  220 . For example, the magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B may be mounted to (e.g., integral with) the battery retention strap  232 . In such instances, the locations of the magnetic flux pipe structures  284 A,  284 B and the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  280 A,  280 B may move accordingly. 
     The ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B,  284 A,  284 B of each of the Hall-effect sensing circuits may be spaced apart by a distance θ N-S . When the ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B,  284 A,  284 B of one of the Hall-effect sensing circuits are lined up with the centers of two adjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip  270 , the ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B,  284 A,  284 B of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit may be offset from the centers of two other adjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip  270 . For example, the ring coupling portions of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit may be offset by an offset distance θ OS  (e.g., one-half of the distance θ N-S ) from the centers of the two other adjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip  270 . For example, the offset distance θ OS  may be such that when the ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B,  284 A,  284 B of one of the Hall-effect sensing circuits are lined up with the centers of two adjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip  270 , the ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures  282 A,  282 B,  284 A,  284 B of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit may be lined up with a transition between a positive section and a negative section of the magnetic strip  270 . 
     While the magnetic sensing circuits are shown and described herein as the Hall-effect sensing circuits, the magnetic sensing circuits could be implemented as any type of magnetic sensing circuit, such as, for example, a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, a reed switch, or other mechanical magnetic sensor. The output signals of the magnetic sensing circuits may be analog or digital signals. Examples of remote control devices including rotational sensing systems having magnetic flux pipe structures are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/631,459, filed Jun. 23, 2017, entitled “Magnetic Sensing System for a Rotary Control Device,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified block diagram of an example remote control device  300  that may be implemented as, for example, the remote control device  120  shown in  FIG. 1  and/or the remote control device  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown, the remote control device  300  includes a control circuit  310 . The control circuit  310  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 processing device. The control circuit  310  may comprise an internal power supply, e.g., a switching power supply (not shown), for generating a regulated DC supply voltage V CC  (e.g., approximately 1.8V) for powering the control circuit and other low-voltage circuitry of the remote control device  300 . The supply voltage V CC  may be generated across a capacitor C 311 , which may be coupled between outputs V CC-OUT  and V CC-REF  of the control circuit  310  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The remote control device  300  may comprise a tactile switch  312  that may be coupled to the control circuit  310 . The tactile switch  312  may be actuated in response to actuations of the actuation portion  224  of the control module  220 . The tactile switch  312  may generate a toggle control signal V TOG  that may be representative of instances when the actuation portion  224  of the control module  220  is pushed towards the mounting assembly  210 , so as to toggle a controlled electrical load on and/or off. 
     The remote control device  300  may further comprise a rotational sensing circuit  314  including one or more magnetic sensing circuits, for example, a first Hall-effect sensing (HES) circuit  316  and a second Hall-effect sensing (HES) circuit  318  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  may represent the Hall-effect sensing circuits  280  described above. For example, each of the first and second Hall-effect sensing circuit  316 ,  318  may comprises a Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  282  and two magnetic flux pipe structures  286 ,  288 . The Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  may be configured to detect the magnetic fields generated by a circular magnetic element (e.g., the magnetic ring  270 ) coupled to a rotary knob (e.g., the rotating portion  222  of the control module  220 ). The first Hall-effect sensing circuit  316  may generate a first HES output signal V HES1  and the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  318  may generate a second HES output signal V HES2 . The first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2  may, in combination, be representative of an angular velocity ω at which the rotating portion  222  is rotated and/or an angular direction (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) in which the rotating portion  222  is rotated. The control circuit  310  may be configured to determine the angular velocity ω and/or the angular direction of the rotating portion  222  in response to the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2 . If the remote control device  300  comprises a single magnetic sensing circuit (e.g., just the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  316 ), the control circuit  310  may be configured to determine the angular velocity ω of the rotating portion  222  in response to the first HES output signal V HES1 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, the remote control device  300  may include a single integrated circuit having two internal Hall-effect sensing circuits. In addition, while the magnetic sensing circuits are shown as the first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  in  FIG. 5 , the magnetic sensing circuits could be implemented as any type of magnetic sensing circuit, such as, for example, a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, a reed switch, or other mechanical magnetic sensor. Further, while the remote control device  300  is illustrated as including magnetic sensing circuits, the remote control device  300  may include non-magnetic sensing circuits, such as a capacitive touch sensing circuit, a resistive touch sensing circuit, an accelerometer, etc., additionally or alternatively to the magnetic sensing circuits. The output signals of the magnetic sensing circuits (e.g., the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2 ) may be analog or digital signals. 
     The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  (e.g., the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits of each of the first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits) may be configured to operate in a high-speed mode during which the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  may sample the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270  at a first sampling rate that causes the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  to be very responsive to changes in the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270 . When the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  are operating in the high-speed mode, the control circuit  310  may be configured to determine the angular velocity ω and/or the angular direction of the rotating portion  222 . The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  may also be configured to operate in a low-speed mode during which the Hall-effect sensing circuits may sample the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270  at a second sampling rate that is less than the first sampling rate during the high-speed mode, which causes the Hall-effect sensing circuits to be less responsive to changes in the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270  and the Hall-effect sensing circuits consume less power than in the high-speed mode. During the low-speed mode, the control circuit  310  may, for example, be able to determine whether the rotating portion  222  is being rotated. 
     The remote control device  300  may also include a wireless communication circuit  320 , for example an RF transmitter coupled to an antenna, for transmitting wireless signals, such as the RF signals  108 , in response to the control circuit  310  receiving the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2  (e.g., based on rotations of the rotating portion  222 ) and receiving the toggle control signal V TOG  (e.g., based on actuations of the actuation portion  224 ). The control circuit  310  may cause the wireless communication circuit  320  to transmit digital messages via one or more wireless signals to an associated load control device, for example the controllable light source  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively or additionally, the wireless communication circuit  320  may include an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, an RF transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF signals, or an infrared (IR) receiver for receiving IR signals. The control circuit  310  may, responsive to receiving one or more of the toggle control signal V TOG  and the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2 , cause the wireless communication circuit  320  to transmit one or more signals, for example RF signals  108 , to a controllable light source associated with the rotary remote control device  300 , for example the lighting load of the controllable light source  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The remote control device  300  may also include a battery  324  for producing a battery voltage V BATT  that may be used to power one or more of the control circuit  310 , the rotational sensing circuit  314 , the wireless communication circuit  320 , and other low-voltage circuitry of the remote control device  300 . The remote control device  300  may also include a memory  322  communicatively coupled to the control circuit  310 . The memory  322  may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or as an internal circuit of the control circuit  310 . The control circuit  310  may be configured to use the memory  322  for the storage and/or retrieval of, for example, a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number) of the remote control device  300  that may be included in the transmitted RF signals. 
     The remote control device  300  may include one or more visual indicators, for example, one or more LEDs  326  (e.g., the LEDs  246  of the control module  220  shown in  FIG. 4 ), which are configured to provide feedback to a user of the remote control device  300 . For example, the LEDs  326  may be configured to illuminate the light bar  226 . The LEDs  326  may be operatively coupled to the control circuit  310 . The control circuit  310  may be configured to pulse-width modulate the LEDs  326  and may be configured to only illuminate a subset of the LEDs at a single time to reduce the peak current conducted through the battery  324 . For example, the control circuit  310  may be configured to illuminate three LEDs at a time. The control circuit  310  may control the LEDs  326  to provide feedback indicating a status of the controllable light source  110 , for example if the controllable light source  110  is on, off, or a present intensity of the controllable light source  110 . The control circuit  310  may be configured to illuminate the LEDs  326  to provide feedback while the rotating portion  222  is being rotated. After detecting the end of a rotation of the rotating portion  222 , the control circuit  310  may be configured to keep the LEDs  326  illuminated for a first predetermined period of time (e.g., approximately 1 second) and then fade (e.g., dim) the LEDs to off over a second predetermined period of time (e.g., approximately 1.5 seconds). 
     The remote control device  300  may comprise a converter circuit, e.g., a boost power supply  328 , which may receive the supply voltage V CC  and generate a boosted DC voltage V BOOST . The boosted DC voltage V BOOST  may have a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the supply voltage V CC  for driving the LEDs  326  (e.g., approximately 2.6-2.8 volts). The boost power supply  328  may be configured to be enabled and disabled such that the boost power supply  328  only generates the boosted voltage V BOOST  when the LEDs  326  need to be illuminated (e.g., when the rotating portion  222  is being rotated or when the actuation portion  224  is actuated). Additionally or alternatively, the converter circuit of the remote control device  300  may comprise an inverter circuit for generating a negative DC voltage V CC-NEG  (e.g., −1.8 volts) from the supply voltage V CC , and the LEDs may be coupled between the supply voltage V CC  and the negative DC voltage V CC-NEG . 
       FIG. 6A  is a simplified diagram showing example waveforms of the first HES output signal V HES1  and the second HES output signal V HES2  when the rotating portion  222  is being rotated in the clockwise direction. The first HES output signal V HES1  may lag the second HES output signal V HES2  by an offset distance dos (e.g., one-half of the distance d N-S ) when the rotating portion  222  is rotated clockwise.  FIG. 6B  is a simplified diagram showing example waveforms of the first HES output signal V HES1  and the second HES output signal V HES2  when the rotating portion  222  is being rotated in the counter-clockwise direction. The second HES output signal V HES2  may lag the first HES output signal V HES1  by the offset distance dos when the rotating portion  222  is rotated counter-clockwise. The control circuit  310  may be configured to determine whether the second HES output signal V HES2  is low (e.g., at approximately circuit common) or high (e.g., at approximately the battery voltage V BATT ) at the times of the falling edges of the first HES output signal V HES1  (e.g., when the first HES output signal V HES1  transitions from high to low), in order to determine whether the rotating portion  222  is being rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, respectively. 
     The lag between the first HES output signal V HES1  and the second HES output signal V HES2  may be based on the offset of the ring coupling portion of the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  from the centers of the two other adjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip. For example, the distance dos (e.g., one-half of the distance d N-S ) may be such that when the ring coupling portions  290  of the magnetic flux pipe structures  286 ,  288  of one of the Hall-effect sensing circuits  280  are lined up with the centers of two adjacent positive and negative sections  272 ,  274  of the magnetic strip  270 , the ring coupling portions  290  of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit  280  may be lined up with a transition between a positive section  272  and a negative section  274  of the magnetic strip  270 . 
     In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the down arrow may indicate a transition from a positive section  272  to a negative section  274  of the magnetic strip  270 . Further, an entire period as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  is from one pole to the same pole, for example, from a positive section  272  of the magnetic strip  270  to a subsequent positive section  272  of the magnetic strip  270 . The distance d N-S  may be a half period, from a positive pole to a negative pole, and the offset distance dos may be one-fourth of the period (e.g., 90 degrees). 
     The control circuit  310  may be configured to operate the remote control device  300  in a normal mode (e.g., an active mode) in response to rotations of the rotating portion  222  and/or in response to actuations of the actuation portion  224 . In the normal mode, the control circuit  310  may be configured to monitor the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  to determine the angular velocity ω and the angular direction of the rotating portion  222 . In addition, the control circuit  310  may be configured to transmit digital messages via the wireless communication circuit  320  in the normal mode (e.g., while the rotating portion  222  is being rotated and/or in response to actuations of the actuation portion  224 ). Further, the control circuit  310  may be configured to enable the boost power supply  328  and illuminate the LEDs  326  in the normal mode. 
     The control circuit  310  may be configured to operate the remote control device  300  in a reduced-power mode (e.g., an idle mode) when the when the rotating portion  222  and the actuation portion  224  are not being actuated. When operating in the reduced-power mode, the remote control device  300  may consume less power than when operating in the normal mode to conserve battery life. For example, when in the reduced-power mode, the control circuit  310  may be configured to turn off the LEDs  326 , disable the boost power supply  328 , and/or change a processing unit (e.g., a CPU) of the control circuit  310  from an active state to a sleep state. Further, the control circuit  310  may change the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  to the low-speed mode and/or disable one of the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  when operating the remote control device  300  in the reduced-power mode. Moreover, it should be appreciated that, in some examples, the processing unit of the control circuit  310  is in the active state when the remote control device  300  is operating in the normal mode, but may be in the active state or in the sleep state when the remote control device  300  is operating in the reduced-power mode. 
     The lifetime of the battery  324  may be dependent upon the amount of time that the control circuit  310  operates in the reduced-power mode rather than the normal mode. Since the rotating portion  222  and/or the actuation portion  224  may only be actuated a few times a day, the lifetime of the battery  724  may be significantly lengthened by having the control circuit  310  operate in the reduced-power mode when the rotating portion  222  is idle. However, frequent actuations of the rotating portion  222  and/or the actuation portion  224 , particularly, persistent actuations within a short period of time, may reduce the lifetime of the battery  324 . For example, persistent actuations may comprise a continuous rotation (or a number of rotations within a short period of time) of the rotating portion and/or a continuous or repetitive actuation of the actuation portion  224  that cause the control circuit  310  to operate in the normal mode for long periods of time. 
     The control circuit  310  may generate a reduced power control signal V RP  for controlling the remote control device  300  between the normal mode and the reduced-power mode. For example, the control circuit  310  may be configured to enter the normal mode by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  high (e.g., towards the supply voltage V CC ) and to enter the reduced-power mode by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  low (e.g., towards circuit common). As shown in  FIG. 12 , the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  318  may be powered by the reduced power control signal V RP  (e.g., through a pin on a processing device of the control circuit  310 ). The control circuit  310  may be configured to enable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  318  by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  high towards the supply voltage V CC , and disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  low towards circuit common. The reduced power control signal V RP  may also be received at enable pins of the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits of one or each of the first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318 . The control circuit  310  may change the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  between the low-speed and high-speed modes using the reduced power control signal V RP . The control circuit  310  may also enable and disable the boost power supply  328  using the reduced power control signal V RP . Accordingly, the control circuit  310  (e.g., the processing device of the control circuit) only needs to use one output pin to enable and disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  318 , change the Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  between the low-speed and high-speed modes, and/or enable and disable the boost power supply  328 , in any combination. 
     When the rotating portion  222  and the actuation portion  224  are not being actuated, the control circuit  310  may operate the remote control device  300  in the reduced-power mode. In the reduced-power mode, the control circuit  310  may disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  318 , put at least the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  316  in the low-speed mode, and/or disable the boost power supply  328  by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  low towards circuit common. During the reduced-power mode, the control circuit  310  may be configured to detect a first new movement (e.g., rotation) of the rotating portion  222  in response to the first HES output signal V HES1  while the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  316  is in the low-speed mode. After detecting a first new movement of the rotating portion  222 , the control circuit  310  may drive the reduced power control signal V RP  high towards the supply voltage V CC  to enable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  318  and put both of the first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  316 ,  318  in the high-speed mode, such that the control circuit  310  is able to determine the angular velocity ω and the angular direction of the rotating portion  222  in response to the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2 . The control circuit  310  may also enable the boost power supply  328  by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  high towards the supply voltage V CC  and illuminate the LEDs  328  while the rotating portion  222  is being rotated. Actuation of the actuation portion may actuate the mechanical tactile switch  312 , which may cause the control circuit  310  to control the reduced power control signal V RP  to enable the converter circuit (e.g., a boost power supply  328 ). 
       FIG. 7  is a simplified flowchart of an example wake-up procedure  400  that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device (e.g., the control circuit  310  of the remote control device  300  shown in  FIG. 5 ) in order to detect the movement of an actuator (e.g., the rotating portion  222 ). For example, the control circuit may be configured to operate in a reduced-power mode when the rotating portion  222  is not being rotated. The wake-up procedure  400  may be executed periodically at  410  in the reduced-power mode. At  412 , the control circuit may be configured to sample the first HES output signal V HES1 , which may be generated by the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  318  while operating in the low-speed mode. As previously mentioned, the control circuit may be configured to detect rotation of the rotating portion by detecting the positive and negative sections  272 ,  274  of the magnetic strip  270  passing the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  318 . The control circuit may be configured to detect a change in the position of the rotating portion  222  if the sample of the first HES output signal V HES1  has changed (e.g., from high to low, or vice versa). If the control circuit does not detect a change in the position of the rotating portion  222  at  414 , the wake-up procedure  400  simply exits. If the control circuit detects a change in the position of the rotating portion  222  at  414 , the control circuit may drive the reduced power control signal V RP  high to control the remote control device  300  to enter the normal mode at  416 , illuminate the LEDs  328  at  418 , and begin transmitting wireless signals for controlling the associated load control devices via the wireless communication circuit  320  at  420 , before the wake-up procedure  400  exits. 
     The control circuit  310  may be configured to turn off the LEDs  328  in response to the detection of a persistent actuation of an actuator of the remote control device  300 , for example, to save battery life. Referring back to  FIG. 5 , the control circuit  310  may be configured to turn off the LEDs  328  in response to the detection of persistent actuations of the rotating portion  222  and/or the actuation portion  224  during a period of time (e.g., a short period of time). For example, the control circuit  310  may be configured to keep track of the amount of time that the rotating portion  222  has been rotated during a persistent or continuous rotation (e.g., a nearly continuous rotations) and may turn off the LEDs  328  after a usage timer exceeds a maximum usage period T MAX-USAGE . The maximum usage period T MAX-USAGE  may be sized to be slightly longer than a typical rotation of the rotating portion  222  when the rotating portion  222  is rotated to adjust the intensity of the associated load control devices between the minimum intensity and the maximum intensity (e.g., approximately ten seconds). The control circuit  310  may be configured to accumulate the time of a continuous rotations and/or various rotations until the maximum usage period T MAX-USAGE  is exceeded. The control circuit  310  may be configured to reset the usage timer when a timeout timer exceeds a maximum timeout period T MAX-TIMEOUT  (e.g., approximately thirty seconds). 
       FIG. 8  is a simplified flowchart of an example usage detection procedure  500  that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device (e.g., the control circuit  310  of the remote control device  300  shown in  FIG. 5 ). The control circuit may execute the usage detection procedure  500  periodically at  510  to detect persistent rotations (e.g., continuous rotations) of the rotating portion  222  and turn off the LEDs  328 . If rotation is detected at  512 , the control circuit may run the usage timer at  514  and reset the timeout timer at step  516 . If the usage timer does not exceed the maximum usage period T MAX-USAGE  at  518 , then the control circuit may keep maintain the LEDs in an on state at  520  and the usage detection procedure  500  exits. The control circuit may turn the LEDs on upon detecting rotation, for example, in accordance with another procedure (e.g., a rotation or actuation detection procedure). If the usage timer exceeds the maximum usage period T MAX-USAGE  at  518 , the control circuit may turn off the LEDs at  522  (e.g., maintain the LEDs in an off state) and the usage detection procedure  500  exits. After the usage detection procedure  500  exits, if rotation is again detected at  512  the next time the control circuit executes the usage detection procedure  500  (e.g., if a user is persistently rotating the rotating portion  222 ), the control circuit will again determine if the usage timer exceeds the maximum usage period T MAX-USAGE  at  518 , and if so, the control circuit will ensure the LEDs are off at  522 , for example, to conserve battery life. 
     If rotation of the rotating portion  222  is not detected at  512 , the control circuit may stop the usage timer at  524  and run the timeout timer at  526 . If the timeout timer does not exceed the maximum timeout period T MAX-TIMEOUT  at  528 , the usage detection procedure  500  exits. It should be noted that in such instances, the usage timer is stopped at  524 , but not reset. As such, if rotation is detected the next time the usage detection procedure  500  is executed, the control circuit will run (e.g., restart) the usage timer at  514 , reset the timeout timer at  516 , and determine whether the usage timer exceeds the maximum usage period T MAX-USAGE  at  518 . If the timeout timer exceeds the maximum timeout period T MAX-TIMEOUT  at  528 , the control circuit may reset the usage timer at  530  and reset the timeout timer at  532 , before the usage detection procedure  500  exits. For example, resetting the usage timer at  530  may ensure that the usage detection procedure  500  does not instruct the control circuit to turn off the LEDs at  522  during subsequent executions of the usage detection procedure  500  (e.g., during instances where the LEDs should, in fact, be kept on, for example, in accordance with another procedure, such as a rotation or actuation detection procedure). Finally, it should be appreciated that the usage detection procedure  500  may be configured to detect any number and/or type of actuations at  512 , and is not limited to the detection of rotations of a rotating portion  222 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 5 , the control circuit  310  may be configured to selectively power circuits and complete power-consuming tasks in order to reduce the instantaneous power consumed by the battery  324  (e.g., to limit the peak power). The control circuit  310  may be configured to control one or more circuits and/or perform one or more tasks in different segments of time within a repeatable time period. For example, the control circuit  310  may be configured such that the control circuit does not illuminate the LEDs  326  at the same time that the control circuit is transmitting a digital message via the wireless communication circuit  320 . Accordingly, the control circuit  310  may be configured to control the wireless communication circuit to transmit the wireless signals and to control the at least one of the LEDs  326  to illuminate the LED in different segments of time within the repeatable time period. The control circuit  310  may be configured to power circuits and/or complete power-consuming tasks during other segments of time within the repeatable time period (e.g., in addition to or in lieu of illuminating the LEDs  326  and/or transmitting the digital messages). For example, other power-consuming tasks may occur when the analog-to-digital converter of the control circuit  310  is sampling input signals and/or when the control circuit  310  is writing to the memory  322 . 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of an example timing procedure  600  of a control circuit of a remote control device, such as the remote control device  120  shown in  FIG. 1 , the remote control device  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , and/or the remote control device  300  of  FIG. 5 . The control circuit may be configured to power circuits and/or complete power-consuming tasks during different segments of time of a repeatable time period  610 . For example, the control circuit may wirelessly transmit signals via the communication circuit, sample inputs of the analog-to-digital converter of the control circuit, illuminate LEDs, and/or write to memory of the control circuit, during different segments of time of the repeatable time period  610 . The control circuit may perform a plurality of tasks over the repeated total time period  610 . The total time period  610  may, for example, include eight time periods as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The control circuit may illuminate a first set of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 1-3) in a first time period, illuminate a second set of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 4-6) in a second time period, illuminate a third set of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 7-9) in a third time period, and illuminate a fourth set of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 10-12) in a fourth time period. The control circuit may wirelessly transmit digital messages during the fifth and sixth time periods, sample input signals from the analog-to-digital converter of the control circuit during the seventh time period, and write to memory of the control circuit in the eighth time period. 
     The control circuit may drive the LEDs using pulse width modulation. As such, the control circuit may be configured to PWM the LEDs using one eighth of the total PWM duty cycle (e.g., such that the seven eighths of the total time period  610  may be used to drive other sets of LEDs or perform other power-consuming tasks). Accordingly, the control circuit may limit the peak power usage to reduce the instantaneous power consumed by the battery  324  by powering circuits and/or completing power-consuming tasks during different segments of time of a repeatable time period  610  (e.g., by interweaving time periods for power-consuming tasks with the time periods when the control circuit drives the LEDs to be illuminated). Although illustrated as wirelessly transmitting signals via the communication circuit, sampling inputs of the analog-to-digital converter of the control circuit, driving the LEDs, and/or writing to memory of the control circuit, the control circuit may be configured to alter which power-consuming task(s) are performed during the different segments of time of the repeatable time period  610 . 
       FIG. 10  is a simplified block diagram of an example remote control device  700  that may be implemented as, for example, the remote control device  120  shown in  FIG. 1 , the remote control device  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , and/or the remote control device  300  shown in  FIG. 5 . The remote control device  700  may comprise a control circuit  710 , 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 processing device. The control circuit  710  may comprise a central processing unit (CPU)  730  (e.g., a processing circuit), which may be configured to execute operating instructions (e.g., software) stored in a memory  732 . The memory  732  may be implemented as an internal circuit of the control circuit  710  as shown in  FIG. 10  or an external integrated circuit (IC). The control circuit  710  may also comprise a timer  734  that may generate one or more timing signals from an external crystal (XTAL)  735 . 
     The control circuit  710  may comprise an internal power supply  736 , e.g., a switching power supply, for generating a regulated DC supply voltage V CC  (e.g., approximately 1.8V) for powering the control circuit and other low-voltage circuitry of the remote control device  700 . The supply voltage V CC  may be generated across a capacitor C 711  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The internal power supply  736  of the control circuit  710  may receive power from a battery  724 , which may produce a battery voltage V BATT . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to store the magnitude of the regulated supply voltage V CC  in the memory  732  (e.g., at the time of manufacture of the remote control device  700 ) for use when determining the magnitude of the battery voltage V BATT  (e.g., as will be described in greater detail below). 
     The control circuit  710  may be responsive to a tactile switch  712  that may be actuated in response to actuations of the actuation portion  224  of the control module  220 . The tactile switch  712  may generate a toggle control signal V TOG  that may be representative of instances when the actuation portion  224  of the control module  220  is pushed towards the mounting assembly  210 , so as to, for example, toggle a controlled electrical load on and/or off. 
     The remote control device  700  may further comprise a rotational sensing circuit  714  including one or more magnetic sensing circuits, e.g., a first Hall-effect sensing (HES) circuit  716  and a second Hall-effect sensing (HES) circuit  718  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  may represent the Hall-effect sensing circuits  280  that each comprise a Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit  282  and two magnetic flux pipe structures  286 ,  288 . The Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  may be configured to detect the magnetic fields generated by a circular magnetic element (e.g., the magnetic ring  270 ) coupled to a rotary knob (e.g., the rotating portion  222  of the control module  220 ). The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  may generate respective first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ). The first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2  may, in combination, be representative of an angular velocity ω at which the rotating portion  222  is rotated and/or an angular direction (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) in which the rotating portion  222  is rotated. The control circuit  710  may be configured to determine the angular velocity ω and the angular direction of the rotating portion  222  in response to the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2 . If the remote control device  700  comprises a single magnetic sensing circuit (e.g., just the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716 ), the control circuit  710  may be configured to determine the angular velocity ω of the rotating portion  222  in response to the first HES output signal V HES1 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, the remote control device  700  could comprise a single integrated circuit having two internal Hall-effect sensing circuits. In addition, while the magnetic sensing circuits are shown as the first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  in  FIG. 10 , the magnetic sensing circuits could be implemented as any type of magnetic sensing circuit, such as, for example, a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, a reed switch, or other mechanical magnetic sensor. Further, while the remote control device  700  is illustrated as including magnetic sensing circuits, the remote control device  700  may include non-magnetic sensing circuits, such as a capacitive touch sensing circuit, a resistive touch sensing circuit, an accelerometer, etc., additionally or alternatively to the magnetic sensing circuits. The output signals of the magnetic sensing circuits (e.g., the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2 ) may be analog or digital signals. 
     The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  may be configured to operate in a high-speed mode during which the Hall-effect sensing circuits are very responsive to changes in the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270 . When the Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  are operating in the high-speed mode, the control circuit  710  may be configured to determine the angular velocity ω and/or the angular direction of the rotating portion  222 . The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  may also be configured to operate in a low-speed mode during which the Hall-effect sensing circuits may sample the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270  at a second sampling rate that is less than the first sampling rate during the high-speed mode, which causes the Hall-effect sensing circuits to be less responsive to changes in the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270  and the Hall-effect sensing circuits consume less power than in the high-speed mode. During the low-speed mode, the control circuit  710  may, for example, be able to determine whether the rotating portion  222  is being rotated. 
     The remote control device  700  may also include a wireless communication circuit  720 , for example an RF transmitter coupled to an antenna, for transmitting wireless signals, such as the RF signals  108 , in response to the CPU  730  receiving the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2  (e.g., based on rotations of the rotating portion  222 ) and receiving the toggle control signal V TOG  (e.g., based on actuations of the actuation portion  224 ). The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit  720  to transmit digital messages via one or more wireless signals to an associated load control device, for example the controllable light source  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to use the memory  732  for the storage and/or retrieval of, for example, a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number) of the remote control device  700  that may be included in the transmitted RF signals. In response one or more of the toggle control signal V TOG  and the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2 , the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may cause the wireless communication circuit  720  to transmit one or more signals, for example RF signals  108 , to a controllable light source associated with the rotary remote control device  700 , for example the lighting load of the controllable light source  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . The remote control device  700  may include one or more visual indicators, for example, one or more LEDs  726  (e.g., the LEDs  246  of the control module  220  shown in  FIG. 4 ), which are configured to provide feedback to a user of the remote control device  700 . For example, the LEDs  726  may be configured to illuminate the light bar  226 . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be operatively coupled to the LEDs  726 . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to pulse-width modulate the LEDs  726 . In some examples, the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to only illuminate a subset of the LEDs (e.g., three LEDs) at a single time to reduce the peak current conducted through the battery  724 . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may control the LEDs  726  to provide feedback indicating a status of the controllable light source  110 , for example if the controllable light source  110  is on or off, or a present intensity of the controllable light source  110 . 
     The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to determine the magnitude of the battery voltage V BATT  of the battery  724 , which may change (e.g., decrease) over time as the battery ages. The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to illuminate the LEDs  726  in order to provide an indication that the battery  724  is low on energy, to provide feedback during programming or association of the remote control device  700 , and/or to provide a night light. The control circuit  710  may comprise an internal analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  738  that is referenced to the battery voltage V BATT  (e.g., between the positive and negative terminals of the battery  724 ). The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to use the magnitude of the regulated DC supply voltage V CC  to estimate the magnitude of the battery voltage V BATT . Specifically, the regulated supply voltage V CC  may be provided to an input ADC IN  of the ADC  738 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to sample the magnitude of the supply voltage V CC  at the input ADC IN  using the ADC  738  to generate a measured voltage value at the output ADC OUT  of the analog-to-digital converter. 
     Since the ADC  738  is referenced to the battery voltage V BATT , the measurement of the magnitude of the supply voltage V CC  (e.g., the measured voltage at the output ADC OUT  of the analog-to-digital converter) may be dependent upon the magnitude of the battery voltage V BATT , e.g., 
       ADC OUT =( V   ADC-IN   /V   BATT )·BITS ADC ,
 
     where V ADC-IN  is the measured voltage at the input ADC IN  of the ADC  738  and BITS ADC  is the resolution of the analog-to-digital converter (e.g., 8-12 bits). Since the supply voltage V CC  is provided to the analog input ADC IN  of the ADC  738  and the magnitude of the regulated supply voltage V CC  is known (e.g., 1.8 volts), the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be able to calculate the magnitude of the battery voltage V BATT  using the output ADC OUT , the measured voltage V ADC-IN , and the resolution BITS ADC , e.g., 
         V   BATT =( V   ADC-IN /ADC OUT )·BITS ADC .
 
     Thus, the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be able to determine the magnitude of the battery voltage V BATT  without the need to scale magnitude of the battery voltage down to a level that the ADC  738  of the control circuit  710  can sample, for example, using a resistive divider, which would consume additional battery power. 
     The remote control device  700  may comprise a converter circuit, e.g., a boost power supply  728 , which may receive the supply voltage V CC  and generate a boosted DC voltage V BOOST . The boosted DC voltage V BOOST  may have a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the supply voltage V CC  for driving the LEDs  726  (e.g., approximately 2.6-2.8 volts). The boost power supply  728  may be configured to be enabled and disabled such that the boost power supply  728  only generates the boosted voltage V BOOST  when the LEDs  726  need to be illuminated (e.g., when the rotating portion  222  is being rotated or when the actuation portion  224  is actuated). Additionally or alternatively, the converter circuit of the remote control device  700  may comprise an inverter circuit for generating a negative DC voltage V CC-NEG  (e.g., −1.8 volts) from the supply voltage V CC , and the LEDs may be coupled between the supply voltage V CC  and the negative DC voltage V CC-NEG . 
     The control circuit  710  may be configured to operate in a normal mode in response to rotations of the rotating portion  222  and/or in response to actuations of the actuation portion  224 . In the normal mode, the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to monitor the Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  to determine the angular velocity ω and/or the angular direction of the rotating portion  222 . In the normal mode, the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to transmit digital messages via the wireless communication circuit  720 , enable the boost power supply  728 , and illuminate the LEDs  726  in the normal mode. 
     The control circuit  710  may be configured to operate in a reduced-power mode (e.g., an idle mode) when the when the rotating portion  222  and the actuation portion  224  are not being actuated. When operating in the reduced-power mode, the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to turn off the LEDs  726 , disable the boost power supply  728 , change the Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  to the low-speed mode, and/or disable one of the Hall-effect sensing circuits, such that the remote control device  700  consumes less power. 
     In addition, the control circuit  710  may be configured to control the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  during the reduced-power mode to sample the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270  at a third sampling rate that is between the first sampling rate of the first Hall-effect sensing circuit during the high-speed mode and the second sampling rate of the first Hall-effect sensing circuit during the low-speed mode. The control circuit  720  may be configured to generate an enable control signal V ENABLE  for selectively enabling and disabling the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  during the reduced-power mode as will be described in greater detail below. In the reduced-power mode, the control circuit  710  may be configured to pulse-width modulate the enable control signal V ENABLE  to periodically enable and disable the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  to sample the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring  270  at the third sampling rate. The third sampling rate may be adjustable to allow the control circuit  710  to adjust an average power dissipation of the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  during the reduced-power mode. The control circuit  710  may be configured to adjust a duty cycle of the enable control signal V ENABLE  to adjust the third sampling rate. Further, remote control device  700  may include other types of sampling circuits that are configured with one or more static sampling rates (e.g., such as a touch responsive circuit), and the control circuit  710  may be configured to control such circuits in a similar manner. In such instances, and for example, the control circuit  710  may be configured to control such sensing circuit(s) at a third sampling rate during the reduced-power mode that is between a first sampling rate performed during a high-speed mode and a second sampling rate performed during a low-speed mode. 
     The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may generate a reduced power control signal V RP  for changing between the normal mode and the reduced-power mode. For example, the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to enter the normal mode by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  high and to enter the reduced-power mode by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  low. The second Hall-effect sensing circuit  718  may be powered by the reduced power control signal V RP . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to enable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  718  by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  high towards the supply voltage V CC , and disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  low. The reduced power control signal V RP  may also be received at enable pins of the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits of one or each of the first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718 . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to change the Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  between the low-speed and high-speed modes using the reduced power control signal V RP . The CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may also be configured to enable and disable the boost power supply  728  using the reduced power control signal V RP . Thus, as in the remote control device  300  shown in  FIG. 5 , the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may use a single output pin to enable and disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  718 , change the Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  between the low-speed and high-speed modes, and enable and disable the boost power supply  728 . 
     When the rotating portion  222  and the actuation portion  224  are not being actuated (e.g., when the magnitudes of the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2  are in a steady state condition), the control circuit  710  may operate in the reduced-power mode, during which the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may disable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  718 , put the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  in the low-speed mode, and/or disable the boost power supply  728  by driving the reduced power control signal V RP  low. In addition, the CPU  730  of the control circuit  710  may be configured to enter a sleep state during the reduced-power mode. 
     The control circuit  710  may comprise a wake-up logic circuit  740  for detecting a first new movement (e.g., rotation) of the rotating portion  222  during the reduced-power mode and waking up the CPU  730 . The wake-up logic circuit  740  may generate a wake-up signal V WAKE-UP  for waking up the CPU  730 . The wake-up logic circuit  740  may be configured to generate the enable control signal V ENABLE  for selectively enabling and disabling the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  (e.g., by driving the enable control signal high and low, respectively). As shown in  FIG. 10 , the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  may be powered by the enable control signal V ENABLE  (e.g., through a pin of the control circuit  710 ). In the reduced-power mode, the wake-up logic circuit  740  may be configured to pulse-width modulate the enable control signal V ENABLE  to periodically enable and disable the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  (e.g., to cycle power to the first Hall-effect sensing circuit). As previously mentioned, the CPU  730  may be configured to adjust the duty cycle of the enable control signal V ENABLE  (e.g., at the third sampling rate) to adjust an average power dissipation of the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  during the reduced-power mode. 
     When the enable control signal V ENABLE  is driven high to enable the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716 , the first HES output signal V HES1  may be in an invalid state for a predetermined amount of time T INVALID  until the wake-up logic circuit  740  may sample the first HES output signal V HES1  to determine if the rotating portion  222  has moved since the last time that the first HES output signal V HES1  was sampled. For example, a previous state of the first HES output signal V HES1  (e.g., high or low representing either one of the positive and negative sections  272 ,  274  of the magnetic ring  270 , respectively) may be stored in the memory  732 . After driving the enable control signal V ENABLE  high, the wake-up logic circuit  740  may wait for the predetermined amount of time T INVALID  before opening a sampling window to sample the first HES output signal V HES1 . The wake-up logic circuit  740  may compare the sampled value of the first HES output signal V HES1  (e.g., high or low) to the previous state of the first HES output signal V HES1  as stored in the memory  732 . If the sampled value of the first HES output signal V HES1  is different than the previous state of the first HES output signal V HES1 , the wake-up logic circuit  740  may wake up the CPU  730  by driving the wake-up signal V WAKE-UP  high. 
     Any combination of the CPU  730 , the memory  732 , the timer  734 , the power supply  736 , the ADC  738 , and the wake-up logic circuit  740  may be implemented as part of a single integrated circuit. Alternatively, the wake-up logic circuit  740  may be a separate circuit external to the integrated circuit of the CPU  730 . For example, the wake-up logic circuit  740  could be made up of one or more discrete logic integrated circuits external to the integrated circuit of the CPU  730 . 
       FIG. 11  is a simplified block diagram of an example wake-up logic circuit  800 , which may be implemented as the wake-up logic circuit  740  of the control circuit  710  of the remote control device  700  shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 12  shows example waveforms illustrating the operation of the wake-up enable circuit  800 . The wake-up logic circuit  800  may receive first and second timer signals from a timer (e.g., the timer  734  of the control circuit  710 ). The first timer signal V TIMER1  may be provided at a first output of the wake-up logic circuit  800 , e.g., as the enable control signal V ENABLE  that is provided to the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716 . During the reduced-power mode, the first timer signal V TIMER1  may be a pulse-width modulated signal for periodically enabling and disabling the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716 . For example, the first timer signal V TIMER1  may be characterized by a period T T1  of approximately 10 milliseconds and an on-time T ON1  of approximately 100 microseconds during the reduced-power mode. 
     The second timer signal V TIMER2  may be used to determine when the wake-up logic circuit  740  is responsive to the first HES output signal V HES1 . During the reduced-power mode, the second timer signal V TIMER2  may be a pulse-width modulated signal characterized by a period T T2  of approximately 10 milliseconds and an on-time Tom of approximately 10 microseconds during the reduced-power mode. The on-time T ON2  of the second timer signal V TIMER2  may be shorter than the on-time T ON1  of the first timer signal V TIMER1 . The second timer signal V TIMER2  may be synchronized to the first timer signal V TIMER1 , such that the pulses of the on-times T ON2  of the second timer signal fall within the on-times Tom of the first timer signal. The on-time T ON2  of the second timer signal V TIMER2  may occur after the period of time that the first HES output signal V HES1  may be in the invalid state after the beginning of the on-time T ON1  of the first timer signal V TIMER1 . For example, there may be a delay from when the first timer signal V TIMER1  is driven high to when the second timer signal V TIMER2  is driven high of approximately the predetermined amount of time T INVALID  for which the first HES output signal V HES1  may be in the invalid state as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The first and second timer signals V TIMER1 , V TIMER2  may be received by an AND logic gate  810 . The AND logic gate  810  may generate a first intermediate signal V INT1 , which may be driven high when both of the first and second timer signals V TIMER1 , V TIMER2  are high. A present sampled state S PRES  of the first HES output signal V HES1  and a previous sampled state S PREV  of the first HES output signal V HES1  (e.g., as stored in the memory  732 ) are received by an XOR logic gate  812 . The XOR logic gate  812  may generate a second intermediate signal V INT2 , which may be driven high when the present sampled state S PRES  and the previous sampled state S PREV  are different. The first and second intermediate signals V INT1 , V INT2  may be received by an AND logic gate  814 . The AND logic gate  814  may generate a wake-up signal V WAKE-UP , which may be driven high when both of the first and second timer signals are high and the present sampled state S PRES  and the previous sampled state S PREV  are different. The wake-up signal V WAKE-UP  may be received by the CPU  730  for causing the CPU to change from a sleep state to an active state. 
     After waking up, the CPU  730  may cause the wake-up logic circuit  740  to drive the enable control signal V ENABLE  high (e.g., by stopping pulse-width modulating the enable control signal V ENABLE ) to continuously power the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716  in the normal mode. The CPU  730  may drive the reduced power control signal V RP  high to enable the second Hall-effect sensing circuit  718 , after which both of the Hall-effect sensing circuits  716 ,  718  may begin to generate the first and second HES output signals V HES1 , V HES2  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 12 ). After a period of inactivity of the rotating portion  222  and/or the actuation portion  224 , the control circuit  710  may be configured to enter the sleep state. Before entering the sleep state, the control circuit  710  may be configured to configure the timer  734  to generate the first and second timer signals V TIMER1 , V TIMER2  and configure the wake-up logic circuit  740  (e.g., the logic gate circuitry) to generate the wake-up signal. 
       FIG. 13  is a simplified flowchart of an example wake-up procedure  900  that may be executed by a control circuit of a remote control device (e.g., the control circuit  710  of the remote control device  700  shown in  FIG. 10 ) in order to detect a user input, such as movement, of an actuator (e.g., the rotating portion  222 ). For example, the control circuit may be configured to operate in a reduced-power mode when the rotating portion  222  is not being rotated. The wake-up procedure  900  may be executed at  910  when a wake-up signal V WAKE-UP  is driven high (e.g., by a wake-up logic circuit, such as the wake-up logic circuit  800  shown in  FIG. 11 ). At  912 , the control circuit may cause the wake-up logic circuit to stop pulse-width modulating an enable control signal V ENABLE  to cause a first Hall-effect sensing circuit (e.g., the first Hall-effect sensing circuit  716 ) to be continuously powered. At  914 , the control circuit may drive a reduced power control signal V RP  high to enter the normal mode. The control circuit may then illuminate LEDs (e.g., the LEDs  328 ) at  916  and begin transmitting wireless signals for controlling associated load control devices (e.g., via the wireless communication circuit  320 ) at  918 , before the wake-up procedure  900  exits.