Patent Publication Number: US-11657702-B2

Title: Battery-powered retrofit remote control device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/464,230, filed Mar. 20, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/748,906, filed Jun. 24, 2015, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,633,557 on Apr. 25, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/016,396, filed Jun. 24, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In accordance with prior art installations of load control systems, 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. 
     SUMMARY 
     As described herein, a remote control device may provide a simple retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. Implementation of the remote control device, for example in an existing switched control system, may enable 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. 
     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. 
     The remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to the electrical load. The remote control device may be configured to maintain the toggle actuator in an on position when mounted over the toggle actuator, such that a user of the remote control device is not able to mistakenly switch the toggle actuator to the off position, which may cause the electrical load to be unpowered such that the electrical load cannot be controlled by one or more remote control devices. 
     The remote control device may include a base portion that is configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of the switch, and a rotating portion that is rotatably supported by the base portion. The remote control device may be configured such that the base portion does not actuate the actuator of the electrical load when a force is applied to the rotating portion. 
     The remote control device may include a rotary encoder circuit that translates one or more forces that are applied to the rotating portion into one or more input signals, and that operates as an antenna of the remote control device. The rotary encoder circuit may be configured to provide the one or more input signals to a control circuit of the remote control device. The control circuit may be configured to translate the one or more input signals into control signals for transmission to the load control device via a wireless communication circuit of the remote control device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    depicts an example load control system that includes an example remote control device. 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  depict the example remote control device depicted in  FIG.  1   , in detached and attached positions, respectively, relative to the toggle actuator of a switch. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of another example remote control device. 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of a base portion component of the example remote control device depicted in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a rear view of a rotating portion component of the example remote control device depicted in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram of an example rotary encoding circuit and antenna. 
         FIG.  7    is a simplified block diagram of another example remote control device. 
         FIG.  8 A  depicts a first encoder control signal and a second encoder control signal when an example remote control device is actuated along a first direction. 
         FIG.  8 B  depicts a first encoder control signal and a second encoder control signal when an example remote control device is actuated along a second direction. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       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  110 , a lamp  120 , and a battery-powered remote control device  130 , for example a rotary remote control device. The load control system  100  includes a standard, single pole single throw (SPST) maintained mechanical switch  102  that may be in place prior to installation of the remote control device  130  (e.g., pre-existing in the load control system  100 ). The switch  102  is coupled in series electrical connection between an alternating current (AC) power source  104  and an electrical outlet  106 . The switch  102  includes a toggle actuator  108  that may be actuated to toggle, for example to turn on and/or turn off delivery of power to the electrical outlet  106 . The electrical outlet  106  is electrically coupled to the AC power source  104  when the switch  102  is closed, and is disconnected from the AC power source  104  when the switch  102  is open. 
     As shown, the load control system  100  includes a plug-in load control device  110  (e.g., a “wall wart” plug-in device) that is configured to be plugged into a receptacle of a standard electrical outlet that is electrically connected to an AC power source (e.g., the electrical outlet  106 ). The plug-in load control device  110  may include one or more electrical receptacles. The illustrated plug-in load control device  110  includes an electrical receptacle  112  located on a side of the plug-in load control device  110 . The plug-in load control device  110  may include an actuator  114  that may be actuated to associate the plug-in load control device  110  with the remote control device  130  during a configuration procedure of the load control system  100 , such that the plug-in load control device  110  may then be responsive to the RF signals  140  transmitted by the remote control device  130 . 
     The lamp  120  includes a lighting load  122  (e.g., an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a compact fluorescent lamp, a light emitting diode (LED) lamp, or other screw-in lamp) and an electrical plug  124  that is configured to be plugged into an electrical outlet. As shown, the electrical plug  124  is plugged into the electrical receptacle  112  of the plug-in load control device  110  such that the plug-in load control device  110  may control the amount of power delivered to, and thus the intensity of, the lighting load  122  of the lamp  120 . The lamp  120  is not limited to the illustrated table lamp configuration. For example, the lamp  120  may alternatively be configured as a floor lamp, a wall mounted lamp, or any other lighting load. 
     The remote control device  130  may be configured to be attached to the toggle actuator  108  of the switch  102  when the toggle actuator  108  is in the on position (e.g., typically pointing upward) and the switch  102  is closed and conductive. For example,  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate the remote control device  130  before and after the remote control device  130  is mounted to the toggle actuator  108 , respectively. 
     The remote control device  130  may include a base portion and an actuation portion that is operably coupled to the base portion. For example, as shown, the remote control device  130  includes a base portion  132  that is configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator  108  of the switch  102 , and an actuation portion that is configured as a rotating portion  134 . The illustrated rotating portion  134  is supported by the base portion  132  and is rotatable about the base portion  132 . The base portion  132  may be configured to maintain the toggle actuator  108  in the on position. In this regard, the base portion  132  may be configured such that a user is not able to inadvertently switch the toggle actuator  108  to the off position when the remote control device  130  is attached to the switch  102 . 
     The rotating portion  134  may be supported by the base portion  132  so as to be rotatable in opposed directions about the base portion  132 , for example in the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. The base portion  132  may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator  108  of the switch  102  such that the application of rotational movement to the rotating portion  134  does not actuate the toggle actuator  108 . The remote control device  130  may be mounted to a toggle actuator that is in the on position and that is facing downward, while maintaining functionality of the remote control device  130 . It should be appreciated that the remote control device  130  is not limited to mounting over the toggle actuator of an SPST mechanical switch, as shown. For example, the remote control device  130  may alternatively be configured to be mounted over other switch actuator geometries (e.g., a paddle type switch actuator that may be received through an opening of a Decorator faceplate). Components of the remote control device  130 , such as the base portion  132  and the rotating portion  134 , may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. 
     The remote control device  130  may be configured to transmit one or more wireless communication signals, for example radio-frequency (RF) signals  140 , to one or more devices associated with the load control system  100 , such as the plug-in load control device  110 . The remote control device  130  may include a wireless transmitter, such as a transceiver (not shown), via which one or more wireless communication signals may be sent. 
     The remote control device  130  may be configured to transmit wireless communication signals to the plug-in load control device  110  responsive to the application of rotational movements to the rotating portion  134 . Such wireless communication signals may comprise control signals that are representative of commands to be executed by the load control device  110 . For example, the remote control device  130  may be configured to, upon detecting rotational movement applied to the rotating portion  134 , transmit signals to the load control device  110  that cause the load control device  110  to control an amount of power delivered to an attached electrical load (e.g., the lighting load  122 ). In this regard, the rotating portion  134  of the remote control device  130  may be operated to control, via the plug-in load control device  110 , an intensity of the lighting load  122  between a low-end intensity (e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g., approximately 100%). 
     The remote control device  130  may be configured to detect (e.g., track) one or more characteristics associated with rotational movement applied to the rotating portion  134 . For example, the remote control device  130  may be configured to detect the respective rotational distance and/or speed (e.g., rotational distance as a function of time) of rotational movements applied to the rotating portion  134 . To illustrate, the remote control device  130  may detect the speed of a rotational movement applied to the rotating portion  134 , and may transmit one or more control signals to the plug-in load control device  110 , such that the load control device  110  adjusts an intensity of the lighting load  122  in accordance with the speed at which the rotating portion  134  is rotated. 
     The remote control device  130  may be configured to recognize predetermined rotational movements of the rotating portion  134  by a user (e.g., user “gestures”). Such user gestures may be associated with the transmission of particular wireless communication signals (e.g., command signals) by the remote control device  130 . Such user gestures may include, for example, turning the rotating portion  134  past a threshold rotational distance, turning the rotating portion  134  a predetermined rotational distance within a predetermined amount of time, turning the rotating portion  134  in alternating rotational directions in rapid succession (e.g., “wiggling” the rotating portion  134 ), and so on. The remote control device  130  may be configured to feedback (e.g., audible or haptic feedback) in response to actuations of the rotating portion  134  (e.g., in response to a user gesture). An example of a remote control device that is configured to provide audible feedback is described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,212,486, issued Jul. 3, 2012, entitled “Smart Load Control Device Having A Rotary Actuator,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The remote control device  130  may be configured to transmit one or more control signals based on the recognition of predetermined (e.g., factory preset) gesture-based commands. The remote control device  130  may be configured to be re-programmable, such that a user may customize what control signals are transmitted by the remote control device  130  in response to recognition of one or more predetermined gestures. The remote control device  130  may be configured to facilitate the programming of custom gestures by a user. For example, the remote control device  130  may be configured to learn, and subsequently recognize, a custom user gesture, and to allow a user to associate one or more custom gestures with control signals transmitted by the remote control device  130 . 
     In accordance with an example configuration for the load control system  100 , the remote control device  130  may transmit successive wireless communication signals as the rotating portion  134  is rotated, wherein the wireless communication signals cause the plug-in load control device  110  to gradually lower the intensity of the lighting load  122 , until a predetermined, threshold rotational distance that is associated with a low-end intensity is met or exceeded. If the remote control device  130  detects continued rotational movement of the rotating portion  134 , such that the rotational distance extends beyond the threshold distance (e.g., but within a second threshold distance), the remote control device  130  may transmit one or more wireless communication signals that cause the plug-in load control device  110  to remove power from the lighting load  122 . 
     If the remote control device  130  detects continued rotational movement of the rotating portion  134 , such that the rotational distance extends beyond the second threshold distance, the remote control device  130  may transmit one or more wireless communication signals that comprise commands that are directed to one or more electrical loads (e.g., a plurality of electrical loads) that are electrically connected to one or more additional load control devices that are associated with the load control system  100 . For example, the remote control device  130  may transmit one or more change of state control signals (e.g., “all off”) that may be received by the one or more additional load control devices. In response to receiving the all off control signals, the one or more additional load control devices may remove power from the corresponding plurality of electrical loads. This may allow a plurality of electrical loads associated with the load control system  100  to remain in sync with each other. It should be appreciated that the remote control device  130  is not limited to the above-described example configuration. 
     The remote control device  130  may be configured to transmit one or more control signals based on the recognition of predetermined (e.g., factory preset) gesture-based commands that are associated with the control of one or more color changing lighting loads (e.g., LED-based bulbs). For example, the load control system  100  may include one or more color changing lighting loads that are associated with, and controllable by, the remote control device  130 . The remote control device  130  may be configured to transmit control signals to the one or more color changing lighting loads, based on the recognition of one or more predetermined rotational movements (e.g., gestures). 
     To illustrate, the remote control device  130  may be configured to recognize that the rotating portion  134  is continuously turned (e.g., at a substantially uniform speed). Based on recognition of this gesture, the remote control device  130  may transmit successive wireless communication signals as the rotating portion  134  is rotated, wherein the wireless communication signals cause the one or more color changing lighting load to gradually cycle through a range of colors (e.g., color to color). When rotation of the rotating portion  134  is interrupted, the remote control device may cease transmitting control signals, for example pausing on a selected color. The remote control device  130  may then wait for rotational movement of the rotating portion  134  to resume (e.g., for a predetermined amount of time). If rotational movement of the rotating portion  134  resumes, the remote control device  130  may transmit successive wireless communication signals as the rotating portion  134  is rotated, wherein the wireless communication signals cause the one or more color changing lighting loads to adjust the intensity of the selected color. 
     The remote control device  130  is not limited to transmitting wireless communication signals responsive to rotational movement of the rotating portion  134 . For example, the rotating portion  134  may be configured to be resiliently biasable toward the base portion  132  (e.g., along an axial direction that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotating portion  134 ). The remote control device  130  may be configured to transmit wireless communication signals responsive to detecting the application of a force to the rotating portion  134 , along the axial direction, that causes the rotating portion  134  to move inward toward the base portion  132 . Such wireless communication signals may comprise commands for execution by the load control device  110 . 
     For example, the remote control device  130  may be configured to, upon detecting movement applied to the rotating portion  134  along the axial direction (e.g., presses of the rotating portion  134 ), transmit signals to the load control device  110  that cause the load control device  110  to turn the lighting load  122  on or off (e.g., by applying power to, or removing power from, the lighting load  122 ). The remote control device  130  may include one or more buttons (not shown), for example supported in the rotating portion  134 . Actuation of the one or more buttons may cause the remote control device  130  to transmit wireless communication signals that, for example, comprise commands for execution by the plug-in load control device  110 . For example, the remote control device  130  may include two buttons, such as an “on” button and an “off” button, located on a front surface of the rotating portion  134 . In such a configuration, actuating the on button may cause the remote control device  130  to transmit one or more control signals that may cause the plug-in load control device  110  to turn on the lighting load  122 , and actuating the off button may cause the remote control device  130  to transmit one or more control signals that may cause the plug-in load control device  110  to turn off the lighting load  122 . 
     The remote control device  130  may include an actuator, wherein actuating (e.g., pressing) the actuator causes the remote control device  130  to initiate a configuration procedure, during which the remote control device  130  may be associated with another device of the load control system  100 , such as the plug-in load control device  110 . For example, the remote control device  130  may be configured to initiate the configuration procedure upon detecting movement applied to the rotating portion  134  along the axial direction (e.g., pressing in and holding the rotating portion  134 ) for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., approximately 10 seconds). Alternatively, the remote control device  130  may include a distinct actuator (e.g., a button), wherein actuating (e.g., pressing and holding) the button for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., approximately 10 seconds) causes the remote control device  130  to initiate the configuration procedure. 
     In an example configuration procedure for the load control system  100 , the remote control device  130  may be associated with the plug-in load control device  110  by actuating the actuator  114  on the plug-in load control device  110  (e.g., pressing and holding) and then actuating an actuator on the remote control device  130  (e.g., pressing and holding the rotating portion  134  or pressing an holding an actuator button) for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., approximately 10 seconds). Examples of configuration procedures for associating a remote control device with a load control device are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0111491, published May 15, 2008, entitled “Radio-Frequency Lighting Control System,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Wireless communication signals transmitted by the remote control device  130 , for example directed to the plug-in load control device  110 , may include a command and identifying information, such as a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number) associated with the remote control device  130 . After being associated with the remote control device  130 , the plug-in load control device  110  may be responsive to wireless communication signals that contain the unique identifier of the remote control device  130 . 
     The operation of the remote control device  130  may be programmed by an external device (e.g., a smart phone). For example, the remote control device  130  may comprise a programming port, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, for connecting the external device to the remote control device  130  to allow the external device to modify the operation of the remote control device. In addition, the remote control device  130  may be programmed wirelessly by the external device, for instance via RF signals and/or optical signals. Examples of wireless programming procedures are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0010018, published Jan. 10, 2013, entitled “Method Of Optically Transmitting Digital Information From A Smart Phone To A Control Device”, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0026947, published Jan. 31, 2013, entitled “Method Of Programming A Load Control Device Using A Smart Phone”, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The remote control device  130  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. 
     The load control system  100  depicted 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 install a plug-in load control device  110 , plug in an electrical load (e.g., the lamp  120 ) into the load control device  110 , switch the toggle actuator  108  of a mechanical switch  102  to the on position, install (e.g., mount) the remote control device  130  onto the toggle actuator  108 , and associate the remote control device  130  and the plug-in load control device  110  with each other, for example as described above. 
     It should be appreciated that the load control system  100  need not include the plug-in load control device  110  to enable a controllable lighting load. For example, in lieu of the load control device  110  and the lighting load  122 , the load control system  100  may alternatively include a controllable light source that is electrically connected to (e.g., screwed into the socket of) the lamp  120 , and that may be associated with, and controlled by, the remote control device  130 . Examples of controllable light sources are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0117859, published May 1, 2014, entitled “Controllable Light Source,” and commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0117871, published May 1, 2014, entitled “Battery-Powered Retrofit Remote Control Device,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should further be appreciated that the remote control device  130  is not limited to being associated with, and controlling, a single load control device. For example, the remote control device  130  may be configured to control multiple controllable load control devices (e.g., substantially in unison). 
       FIGS.  3 - 5    depict components of an example remote control device  200  that may be deployed as, for example, the remote control device  130  of the load control system  100  depicted in  FIG.  1   . As shown, the remote control device  200  includes a base portion  202  and a rotating portion  204  that is configured to be rotatable in opposed directions about the base portion  202 , for example in the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. The base portion  202  and the rotating portion  204  may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. The remote control device  200  further includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  206  that carries one or more electronic components of the remote control device  200 . As shown, the PCB  206  may be circularly-shaped and may have an outer diameter of, for example, approximately 1.5 inches. However, it should be appreciated that the diameter of the PCB  206  may be larger or smaller than 1.5 inches, for example in accordance with alternative configurations of the remote control device  200 . The remote control device  200  further includes a battery  208  that is configured to provide power to one or more electronic components of the remote control device  200 . 
     The base portion  202  includes a cylindrically shaped body  210 . The body  210  of the base portion  202  defines a front side  212  and an opposed rear side  214  that is spaced from the front side  212 . The body  210  defines a recess  216  that extends into the front side  212 , the recess  216  configured to receive at least a portion of the battery  208 . The base portion  202  may be configured to removably retain the battery  208  in the recess  216 . 
     The base portion  202  may be configured to be removably mounted over the toggle actuator of a mechanical switch, such as the toggle actuator  108  of the switch  102  as depicted in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 A, and  2 B . As shown, the body  210  defines an opening  218  that extends into the rear side  212 , and through the body  210 . The opening  218  is sized to receive a corresponding portion of a toggle actuator of a mechanical switch (e.g., the toggle actuator  108  of the switch  102 ), for example when the base portion  202  is mounted over the toggle actuator. As shown, the opening  218  is located adjacent to the recess  216 , such that the toggle actuator will not interfere with the battery  208  when the base portion  202  is mounted over the toggle actuator  108 . The PCB  206  may define an opening  207  that is configured to receive a portion of the toggle actuator  108  when the base portion  202  is mounted over the toggle actuator  108 . 
     The base portion  202  may be configured to engage with, and retain, the toggle actuator  108  within the opening  218 , and thereby retain the remote control device  200  in a mounted position relative to the toggle actuator  108 . This may prevent the remote control device  200  from being unintentionally dislodged from the mounted position. As shown, the body  210  defines a deflectable arm  220  that extends into the opening  218 . The illustrated arm  220  defines a curved portion  222  that extends from a fixed end at a lower end of the body  210 , to a free end. The free end defines a paddle  224  that is configured to engage with a portion of the toggle actuator  108 . The arm  220  may define a relaxed (e.g., undeflected) position, wherein the paddle  224  is spaced from an opposed, interior surface  219  of the opening  218  by a distance D 1  that is shorter than a width of a corresponding portion of the toggle actuator  108 . When the base portion  202  is mounted over the toggle actuator  108 , the toggle actuator  108  may make contact with interior surface  219  and the paddle  224 , such that the paddle  224  rides onto and along a corresponding side surface of the toggle actuator  108 . 
     The illustrated base portion  202  further includes a resilient strap  226  that is attached to the body  210 . As shown, the strap  226  defines an interior portion  228  that is disposed in an interior of the body  210 , and an exterior portion  230  that wraps around, and abuts, an outer perimeter of the body  210 . The interior portion  228  of the strap  226  is configured to extend into the opening  218  and to abut a portion of the paddle  224  of the arm  220 . The strap  226  may abut the paddle  224  with little to no force when the arm  220  is in the relaxed position in the opening  218 . When the base portion  202  is mounted over the toggle actuator  108 , such that the toggle actuator  108  makes contact with interior surface  219  of the opening  218  and the paddle  224 , the strap  226  biases the paddle  224  against the toggle actuator  108 , creating friction forces between the interior surface  219 , the toggle actuator  108 , and the paddle  224  that clamp the toggle actuator  108  in position in the opening  218 . The friction forces operate to resist movement of the toggle actuator  108  relative to the base portion  202 , such that the arm  220 , the strap  226 , and the body  210  of the base portion  202  (e.g., the interior surface  219 ) cooperate to retain the toggle actuator  108  in a mounted position in the opening  218 . The strap  226  may be made of any suitable material, such as metal (e.g., spring steel). The strap  226  (e.g., the exterior portion  230 ) may be configured to operate as an antenna of the remote control device  200 . 
     The base portion  202  may be configured to maintain the toggle actuator  108  in the on position when the remote control device  200  is mounted over the toggle actuator  108 . In this regard, the base portion  202  may be configured such that a user is not able to inadvertently switch the toggle actuator  108  to the off position when the remote control device  200  is attached to the switch  102 . For example, the rear side  214  of the body  210  may be flat, such that the rear side  214  abuts a faceplate of the switch  102  (e.g., faceplate  103  in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B ) when the remote control device  200  is in a mounted position relative to the toggle actuator  108 . The rear side  214  of the body  210  may be semi-permanently attached to the faceplate  103 , for example using an adhesive (e.g., double-sided tape) applied or affixed to the rear side  214  of the body  210 . It should be appreciated that the base portion  202  may be otherwise attached to, or integrated with, the faceplate  103  (e.g., using one or more fasteners, such as screws). Examples of attaching remote control devices to, and integrating remote control devices with, faceplates are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0117859, published May 1, 2014, entitled “Controllable Light Source,” and commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0117871, published May 1, 2014, entitled “Battery-Powered Retrofit Remote Control Device,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     As shown, the rotating portion  204  includes a body  232  that defines a disc-shaped front wall  234  and an annular side wall  236  that extends rearward from the front wall  234 , around an entirety of an outer perimeter of the front wall  234 . The front wall  234  and the side wall  236  define a cavity  238  that is configured to receive the PCB  206 . 
     The front wall  234  defines a front surface  240 . The front wall  234  may be made of a translucent material, such that a light associated with a toggle actuator of the remote control device  200  may shine through the front wall  234 . The remote control device  200  may include an internal night light circuit, for example, as described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0286940, published Nov. 15, 2012, entitled “Control Device Having a Night Light,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The rotating portion  204  may be supported by the base portion  202  so as to be rotatable in opposed directions about the base portion  202 , for example in the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. For example, as shown, the rotating portion  204  may be rotatably attached to the PCB  206 , such that the rotating portion  204  may rotate about the PCB  206  (e.g., in the clockwise or counterclockwise directions); and the PCB  206  may be configured to be attached to the base portion  202 . In this regard, the rotating portion  204  may be supported by the base portion  202  (e.g., indirectly via the PCB  206 ) so as to be rotatable in opposed directions about the base portion  202 . As shown, the rotating portion  204  includes a post  242  that extends rearward from an inner surface  244  of the front wall  234 . The post  242  may be configured to be received in a collar  246  that is attached to the PCB  206 , such that the rotating portion  204  and the PCB  206  are attached to one another. The post  242  defines a free end that may be spaced from the front wall  234  such that the PCB  206  is encircled by the side wall  236  when the post  242  is disposed in the collar  246 . The post  242  may be fixed in position relative to the front wall  234 . For example, the post  242  may be rotatably attached to the collar  246  (e.g., such that the post  242  and the rotating portion  204  are monolithic). Alternatively, the post  242  may be rotatably attached to the front wall  234  (e.g., via a rotating coupling) and may be attached to the collar  246  in a fixed position. 
     The PCB  206  may be configured such that the battery  208  may be removably attached to a rear side of the PCB  206 . For example, the PCB  206  may include one or more electrical contacts  205  that are attached to the rear side of the PCB  206 . The electrical contacts  205  may be configured to retain the battery  208  in removable attachment to the PCB  206 , and to place the battery  208  in electrical communication with one or more electrical components of the remote control device  200 . 
     The rotating portion  204 , the PCB  206 , and the battery  208 , when attached to one another, may comprise a detachable assembly that may be configured to be removably attached to the base portion  202 , for example such that the detachable assembly may be detached from the base portion  202  to allow changing of the battery  208 . In an example configuration, the base portion  202  may include a magnetic element (not shown) that is disposed in a surface of the base portion  202  (e.g., in the recess  216 ), such that the detachable assembly may be attached to the base portion  202  by magnetically attaching the battery  208  to the base portion  202 . In this regard, the rotating portion  204  may be configured to be removably attached to the base portion  202  via a magnetic connection between the base portion  202  and the battery  208 . Stated differently, the rotating portion  204  is magnetically attachable to the base portion. It should be appreciated the remote control device  200  is not limited to magnetic attachment of the detachable assembly to the base portion  202 , and that one or more of the base portion  202 , the rotating portion  204 , or the PCB  206  may be alternatively configured to facilitate attachment of the detachable assembly to the base portion  202 . 
     The remote control device  200  may be configured to align the detachable assembly relative to the base portion  202  during attachment of the detachable assembly to the base portion  202 . For example, as shown, the base portion  202  defines projections  248  that extend outwardly from the front side  212  of the base portion  202 . The PCB  206  defines apertures  250  that are configured to receive the projections  248  when the detachable assembly is properly aligned relative to the base portion  202  (e.g., such that the battery  208  is properly received in the recess  216 ). 
     It should be appreciated that the remote control device  200  is not limited to the illustrated configuration of the base portion  202  rotatably supporting the rotating portion  204 . For example, the rotating portion  204  may alternatively include a fixed portion (not shown) that corresponds to the front wall  234 . In accordance with the alternative configuration, the side wall  236  may be supported by the fixed portion so as to be rotatable in opposed directions about the fixed portion, for example in the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. In this regard, the side wall  236  may comprise the rotating portion of the remote control device  200 . 
     Further in accordance with the alternative configuration, the fixed portion may be configured to operate as an actuator of the remote control device  200 . For example, the remote control device  200  may be configured to initiate a configuration procedure upon detecting movement applied to the fixed portion along the axial direction (e.g., pressing in and holding the fixed portion) for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., approximately 10 seconds). Alternatively, the remote control device  200  may include a distinct actuator (e.g., a button) that is located on an outer surface of the fixed portion, wherein actuating (e.g., pressing and holding) the button for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., approximately 10 seconds) causes the remote control device  130  to initiate the configuration procedure. The fixed portion may be configured to include more than one button, such as a plurality of buttons. The plurality of buttons may cause the remote control device to transmit respective command signals. Such command signals may correspond to one or more of, for example, initiating the configuration procedure of the remote control device  200 , toggling a lighting load associated with the remote control device (e.g., via a load control device) on and off, changing an intensity of the lighting load, selecting a preset lighting scene, and so on. For example, the fixed portion may be configured to include two buttons, such as an “on” button and an “off” button. Actuating the on button may cause the remote control device  200  to transmit one or more control signals that may cause an associated load control device (e.g., the plug-in load control device  110 ) to turn on a lighting load (e.g., the lighting load  122 ), and actuating the off button may cause the remote control device  200  to transmit one or more control signals that may cause the load control device to turn off the lighting load. The fixed portion may include a display screen that may be configured to display information related to the remote control device  200  and/or other components of a load control system with which the remote control device  200  is associated. 
     The remote control device  200  may be configured to transmit one or more wireless communication signals to one or more devices of a load control system with which the remote control device  200  is associated. For example, the remote control device  200  may be configured to transmit wireless communication signals as described herein with reference to the remote control device  130  of the load control system  100 . To illustrate, the remote control device  200  may be implemented as the remote control device  130  in the load control system  100 , such that the remote control device  200  may transmit RF signals  140  to one or more devices associated with the load control system  100 , such as the plug-in load control device  110 , and may thereby control the lighting load  122 . The remote control device  200  may be configured (e.g., setup, programmed, etc.), and may operate (e.g., via rotational movements, axial forces, etc. applied to the rotating portion  204 ) as described herein with reference to the remote control device  130  of the load control system  100 . 
     As shown, the PCB  206  includes a printed circuit pattern that includes a plurality of electrically conductive circuit board pads  252 , each circuit board pad  252  having an exposed electrically conductive surface. The circuit board pads  252  are arranged in an annular array  254  proximate to an outer perimeter of the PCB  206 . The array  254  of circuit board pads  252  may be configured to operate as both a rotary encoder circuit (e.g., an incremental rotary encoder circuit) and an antenna of the remote control device  200 , for example as described herein. The remote control device  200  may include a conductive interconnect member  256  that is configured to persistently make mechanical and electrical contact with at least one circuit board pad  252  of the array  254 . 
     As shown, the interconnect member  256  extends from a first end  258  to an opposed second end  260 . The interconnect member  256  defines a semicircular shape that closely follows an inner perimeter of the side wall  236  of the rotating portion  204 . The interconnect member  256  may be disposed into the cavity  238 , and fixedly attached to the inner surface of the front wall  234  (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  5   ) and/or to another surface of the rotating portion  204 . The illustrated interconnect member  256  defines a first contact prong  262  that is located at the first end  258 , a second contact prong  264  that is located between the first and second ends  258 ,  260  (e.g., midway between the first and second ends  258 ,  260 ), and a third contact prong  266  that is located at the second end  260 . As shown, the interconnect member  256  is configured such that at least one of the first, second, or third contact prongs  262 ,  264 ,  266  makes contact with one of the circuit board pads  252 , regardless of the position of the interconnect member  256  relative to the array  254 . 
       FIG.  6    depicts a view of the array  254  of circuit board pads  252 . As shown, the array  254  may function as both an incremental rotary encoder circuit of the remote control device  200 , and as an antenna of the remote control device  200 . As shown, the array  254  defines a plurality of discrete input zones that include a first input zone  268 , a second input zone  270 , and a third input zone  272 . The first and second input zones  268 ,  270  include respective pluralities of circuit board pads  252  that are interconnected with respective circuit board traces  253 . The third input zone  272  includes a single circuit board pad  252 . 
     The array  254  may operate as a rotary encoder circuit by detecting a rotational movement applied to the rotating portion  204  of the remote control device  200  (e.g., a rotational force applied to the side wall  236 ). For example, when a rotational movement is applied to the rotating portion  204 , the interconnect member  256  rotates along with the rotating portion  204 , and thus rotates relative to the array  254 , such that the first, second, and third contact prongs  262 ,  264 ,  266  rotate around the array  254 , moving from one circuit board pad  252  another (e.g., in the clockwise or counterclockwise directions). Because the diameter of the annular array  254  of circuit board pads  252  is larger than the diameter of typical mechanical quadrature encoders, the rotary encoder circuit comprising the array  254  may provide higher resolution than typical mechanical quadrature encoders. 
     The first, second, and third contact prongs  262 ,  264 ,  266  of the interconnect member  256  may be spaced apart from each other such that the interconnect member  256  persistently makes contact with at least one of the plurality of input zones. For example, as depicted in  FIG.  6   , if the first contact prong  262  is making contact with a circuit board pad  252  in the first input zone  268 , the second contact prong  264  is between circuit board pads  252  in the second input zone  270 , and the third contact prong  266  is making electrical contact in the third input zone  272 . As a rotational movement (e.g., a slight turn) is applied to the rotating portion  204 , the first contact prong  262  moves between circuit board pads  252  in the first input zone  268 , the second contact prong  264  makes contact with a circuit board pad  252  in the second input zone  270 , and the third contact prong  266  continues making electrical contact in the third input zone  272 . 
     The rotary encoder circuit may be configured to generate one or more control signals, for example in response to forces applied to the rotating portion  204 . The control signals may be provided to a control circuit of remote control device  200  (e.g., as input signals). For example, the rotary encoder circuit may be configured to generate a first encoder control signal V E1  and a second encoder control signal V E2  in response to the application of a rotational movement to the rotating portion  204  of the remote control device  200 . The first and second encoder control signals V E1 , V E2  may, in combination, be representative of an angular velocity ω at which the rotating portion  204  is rotated and an angular direction (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) in which the rotating portion  204  is rotated. The rotary encoder circuit may be configured to generate a third control signal, such as a toggle control signal V TOG , in response to detecting the application of a force to the rotating portion  204 , along the axial direction, that causes the rotating portion  204  to move inward toward the base portion  202 . 
     The rotary encoder circuit may be configured to operate as an antenna of the remote control device  200 . For example, the first, second, and third input zones  268 ,  270 ,  272  may be electrically interconnected, for example with capacitors  274 , such that the respective circuit board pads  252  and corresponding circuit board traces  253  of the array  254 , along with the capacitors  274 , define a loop antenna of the remote control device  200 . The circuit board traces  253  of the array  254  may be characterized by an inductance, which, along with the capacitance of the capacitors  274 , may define a resonant frequency of the antenna. The capacitors may be, for example, 4.7 pF capacitors, or may be differently sized capacitors. The values of the capacitors may depend upon the diameter of the annular array  254  of circuit board pads  252  and/or the desired communication frequency of the RF signals. As shown, the rotary encoder circuit may define respective first and second antenna feeds  276 ,  278 , that may provide antenna signals to and/or receive antenna signals from, a control circuit of the remote control device  200 . The second antenna feed  278  may include a capacitor  280 , for example, a 3.3 pF capacitor. The capacitor  280  may not be required and/or other feed circuit may be coupled between the rotary encoder circuit and the control circuit of the remote control device  200 . The interconnect member  256  may comprise a first impedance between the first contact prong  262  and the second contact prong  264 , and a second impedance between the second contact prong  264  and the third contact prong  266 . The first and second impedances may comprise, for example, resistors having resistances of 10 kΩ, and may operate to prevent the interconnect member  256  from affecting the tuning (e.g., the resonant frequency) of the antenna. The first and second impedances may also comprise inductors or ferrite beads. 
     While the array  254  shown in  FIG.  6    may function as an incremental rotary encoder circuit, the remote control device  200  could include other types of rotary encoder circuits that also function as the antenna for the remote control device  200 . For example, the rotary encoder circuit could comprise an absolute encoder circuit or a resistive encoder circuit (e.g., a potentiometer circuit) having conductive pads and/or traces (e.g., polymer thick film (PTF) material) that may be used as the antenna for the remote control device  200 . 
       FIG.  7    is a simplified block diagram of an example remote control device  300  that may be implemented as, for example, the remote control device  130  and/or the remote control device  200 . As shown, the remote control device  300  includes a control circuit  302 , a rotary encoder circuit  304  that is configured to operate as an antenna, a wireless communication circuit  306 , a memory  308 , a battery  310 , one or more visual indicators (e.g., LEDs  312 ), a toggle actuator  314 , and a programming actuator  316 . 
     The control circuit  302  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  302  may be configured to enter a sleep state when a predetermined amount of time elapses after the control circuit  302  receives a most recent control signal from the rotary encoder circuit  304 . 
     The rotary encoder circuit  304  may be configured to operate as both a rotary encoder circuit and as an antenna, for example in accordance with the array  254 . The rotary encoder circuit  304  may be coupled to (e.g., in electrical communication with) the wireless communication circuit  306  (e.g., via the first and second antenna feeds  276 ,  278 ) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals (e.g., RF signals). The rotary encoder circuit  304  may be operatively coupled to a rotating component (not shown) of the remote control device. The rotating component may be, for example, the rotating portion  134  of the remote control device  130  or the rotating portion  204  of the remote control device  200 . As shown, the rotary encoder circuit  304  is communicatively coupled to (e.g., in electrical communication with) the control circuit  302 . The rotary encoder circuit  304  may be configured to detect the application of a rotational movement to the rotating component, and to provide one or more corresponding input signals (e.g., first and second encoder control signals V E1 , V E2 ) to the control circuit  302 . 
     The toggle actuator  314  may be a mechanical tactile switch that may be actuated by applying a force to a rotating portion of the remote control device  300  (e.g., the rotating portion  134  of the remote control device  130  or the rotating portion  204  of the remote control device  200 ). In response to detecting one or more forces applied to the rotating portion (e.g., along the axial direction) the toggle actuator  314  may provide an input signal (e.g., a toggle control signal V TOG ) to the control circuit  302 . 
     The control circuit  302  may receive the one or more input signals (e.g., the first and second encoder control signal V E1 , V E2 ) from the rotary encoder circuit  304 , for example responsive to the application of a rotational movement to the rotating component, and/or may receive one or more input signals (e.g., the toggle control signal V TOG ) from the toggle actuator  314 , for example responsive to actuation of the rotating component in the axial direction. The control circuit  302  may be configured to translate input signals from the rotary encoder circuit  304  and/or the toggle actuator  314  into one or more drive signals for the wireless communication circuit  306  (e.g., an RF control signal V RF ). The control circuit  302  may cause the wireless communication circuit  306  to transmit one or more wireless communication signals via the antenna of the rotary encoder circuit  304 , for instance to a load control device that is associated with the remote control device  300  (e.g., the plug-in load control device  110 ). The control circuit  302  may receive one or more wireless communication signals via the wireless communication circuit  306  and the antenna of the rotary encoder circuit  304 . 
     The control circuit  302  may be configured to awake from the sleep state upon the application of a rotational movement to the rotating component. For example, the remote control device  300  may include an interrupt pin (not shown) that may be operatively coupled to the rotating component. When the rotating component is rotated, the interrupt pin may short, thereby waking up the control circuit  302 . Upon awakening from the sleep state, the control circuit  302  may start polling, for example for control signals from the rotary encoder circuit  304 . Configuring the remote control device  300  such that the control circuit  302  may enter a sleep state, and be mechanically awakened from the sleep state (e.g., via the interrupt pin) may conserve the life of the battery  310 , for example in comparison to implementing a control circuit  302  that is not configured to enter a sleep state. 
     The wireless communication circuit  306  may be, for example an RF transmitter coupled to the antenna of the rotary encoder circuit  304 , for transmitting wireless communication signals, such as the RF signals  140 , in response to the application of rotational movements of the rotating component coupled to the rotary encoder circuit  304 . As shown, the wireless communication circuit  306  is communicatively coupled to (e.g., in electrical communication with) the control circuit  302  (e.g., via the RF control signal V RF ). The wireless communication circuit  306  may alternatively include one or more of 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. 
     As shown, the memory  308  is communicatively coupled to (e.g., in electrical communication with) the control circuit  302 . The control circuit  302  may be configured to use the memory  308  for the storage and/or retrieval of, for example, a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number) of the remote control device  300 . The memory  308  may be implemented, for example, as an external integrated circuit (IC), or as an internal circuit of the control circuit  302 . 
     The remote control device  300  includes a battery  310  for producing a battery voltage V BATT  that may be used to power one or more of the control circuit  302 , the rotary encoder circuit  304 , the wireless communication circuit  306 , the memory  308 , and other low-voltage circuitry of the remote control device  300 . The remote control device  300  may include a solar cell (not shown) that is configured to charge the battery  310  and/or another energy storage device, such as a capacitor. The solar cell may be located on a surface of the remote control device  300 , for example on an outward facing surface of the rotating component. The battery  310  and/or the capacitor may be charged using other energy harvesting techniques, for instance by harvesting kinetic energy generated by the rotations of the rotating portion  134  and/or actuations of the rotating portion  134  along the axial direction. In addition, the remote control device  300  could include a power input, for example, for charging the battery  310  from an external power source. For example, the remote control device  300  may be temporarily removed from the toggle actuator  108  and mounted in a charging dock for charging the battery  310 . Further, the battery  310  may be inductively charged. 
     The remote control device  300  may include one or more visual indicators, for example one or more LEDs  312 . The visual indicators may be configured to provide feedback to a user of the remote control device  300 . As shown, the LEDs  312  are operatively coupled to (e.g., in electrical communication with) the control circuit  302 . The control circuit  302  may be configured to control the LEDs  312  to provide feedback indicating a status of a lighting load connected to load control device with which the remote control device  300  is associated (e.g., the lighting load  122  electrically connected to the plug-in load control device  111 ). Status indications may include, for example, whether the lighting load  122  is on or off, a present intensity of the lighting load  122 , and so on. In an example implementation, the LEDs  312  may include a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED (e.g., RGB LEDs) for illuminating a single visual indicator, and the control circuit  302  may illuminate the visual indicator in a specific color, for instance to indicate a controlled color (e.g., color temperature) of the lighting load  122 . The control circuit  302  may be configured to illuminate one or more of the LEDs  312  in order to provide an indication that the battery  310  is low on energy, to provide feedback during programming or association of the remote control device  300 , and/or to provide a night light. 
     In response to the application of one or more forces to the rotating component (e.g., rotational movements, presses along the axial direction), the rotary encoder circuit  304  may generate one or more input signals (e.g., the encoder control signals V E1 , V E2 ) and the toggle actuator  314  may generate an input signal (e.g., the toggle signal V TOG ), which may be received by the control circuit  302 . The control circuit  302  may, responsive to receiving the one or more input signals, cause the wireless communication circuit  306  to transmit one or more control signals, for example RF signals, to a load control device that is associated with the remote control device  300  (e.g., the plug-in load control device  110 ). The load control device, responsive to receiving the RF signals, may change the state and/or intensity of an electrical load that is electrically connected to the load control device (e.g., the lighting load  122 ). 
     The programming actuator  316  may be operatively coupled to (e.g., in electrical communication with) the control circuit  302 . The programming actuator  316  may be actuated to associate the remote control device  300  with one or more devices of a load control system with which the remote control device is associated (e.g., the plug-in load control device  110  of the load control system  100 ). 
     The remote control device  300  may also include an internal sensing circuit (not shown) that is coupled to the control circuit  302 . The sensing circuit may comprise an occupancy sensing circuit configured to detect occupancy and vacancy conditions in the space in which the remote control device  300  is installed. The remote control device  300  may comprise a lens (not shown) located, for example, on a front surface of the rotating portion  134  for directing infrared energy from an occupant to the occupancy sensing circuit. The remote control device  300  may be configured to transmit a digital message (e.g., to the plug-in load control device  110  of the load control system  100 ) in response to the sensing circuit determining that the space is occupied or vacant. For example, the remote control device  300  may be configured to, in response to determining that the space is occupied, transmit a digital message that causes the plug-in load control device  110  to turn on the lamp  120  and/or may be configured to, in response to determining that the space is vacant, transmit a digital message that causes the plug-in load control device  110  to turn off the lamp  120 . In this regard, the plug-in load control device  110  may be operate to turn on the lamp  120  in response to determining that the space is occupied and to turn off the lamp in response to determining that the space is unoccupied (e.g., as with an “occupancy” sensor). In addition, the plug-in load control device  110  may be configured to only turn off the lamp in response to determining that the space is unoccupied, and/or to turn on the lamp in response to determining that the space is occupied (e.g., as with an “vacancy” sensor). Examples of occupancy and vacancy sensors are described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011 Sep. 3, 2008, entitled “Radio Frequency Lighting Control System With Occupancy Sensing,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issued Jun. 12, 2012, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Configuring A Wireless Sensor,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,228,184, issued Jul. 24, 2012, entitled “Battery Powered Occupancy Sensor,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The sensing circuit may also comprise a photosensing circuit (e.g., a daylight sensing circuit) configured to measure a light intensity in the space in which the remote control device  300  is installed. The remote control device  300  may comprise a lens (not shown) located, for example, on front surface of the rotating portion  134  for directing light from outside the remote control device to the photosensing circuit. The remote control device  300  may be configured to transmit a digital message including the measured light intensity (e.g., to the plug-in load control device  110  of the load control system  100 ). The plug-in load control device  110  may be configured turn the lamp  120  on and off and/or to adjust the intensity of the lamp  120  in response to the measured light intensity. Examples of photosensing circuits are described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013, entitled “Method Of Calibrating A Daylight Sensor,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013, entitled “Wireless Battery-Powered Daylight Sensor,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIG.  8 A  is a simplified diagram showing example waveforms of the first encoder control signal V E1  and the second encoder control signal V E2  when the rotating component is being rotated in the clockwise direction. The first encoder control signal V E1  lags the second encoder control signal V E2  by 90° when the rotating component is rotated in the clockwise direction.  FIG.  8 B  is a simplified diagram showing example waveforms of the first encoder control signal V E1  and the second encoder control signal V E2  when the rotating component is being rotated in the counter-clockwise direction. The second encoder control signal V E2  lags the first encoder control signal V E1  by 90° when the rotating component is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction. 
     The control circuit  302  may be configured to determine whether the second encoder control signal V E2  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 encoder control signal V E1  (e.g., when the first encoder control signal V E1  transitions from high to low), in order to determine whether the rotating component is being rotated in the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions, respectively. 
     It should be appreciated that while the load control system  100  is described herein with reference to the single-pole load control system depicted in  FIG.  1   , that the remote control device  130  may be implemented in a “three-way” lighting system having two single-pole double-throw (SPDT) mechanical switches (e.g., a “three-way” switch) for controlling a single electrical load. For example, such a lighting system may include two remote control devices  130 , with one remote control device  130  connected to the toggle actuator of each SPDT switch. The respective toggle actuator of each SPDT switch may be positioned such that the SPDT switches form a complete circuit between an AC power source and an electrical load before the remote control devices  130  are installed on the toggle actuators. 
     It should further be appreciated that the load control system  100  may include other types of load control devices and/or electrical loads that are configured to be controlled by one or more remote control devices (e.g., one or more remote control devices  130 ,  200 , and/or  300 ). For example, the load control system  100  may include one or more of: a dimming ballast for driving a gas-discharge lamp; an LED driver for driving an LED light source; a dimming circuit for controlling the intensity of a lighting load; a screw-in luminaire including a dimmer circuit and an incandescent or halogen lamp; a screw-in luminaire including a ballast and a compact fluorescent lamp; a screw-in luminaire including an LED driver and an LED light source; an electronic switch, controllable circuit breaker, or other switching device for turning an appliance on and off, a plug-in load control device, controllable electrical receptacle, or controllable power strip for controlling one or more plug-in loads; a motor control unit for controlling a motor load, such as a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan; a drive unit for controlling a motorized window treatment or a projection screen; one or more motorized interior and/or exterior shutters; a thermostat for a heating and/or cooling system; a temperature control device for controlling a setpoint temperature of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system; an air conditioner; a compressor; an electric baseboard heater controller; a controllable damper; a variable air volume controller; a fresh air intake controller; a ventilation controller; one or more hydraulic valves for use in radiators and radiant heating system; a humidity control unit; a humidifier; a dehumidifier; a water heater; a boiler controller; a pool pump; a refrigerator; a freezer; a television and/or computer monitor; a video camera; an audio system or amplifier; an elevator; a power supply; a generator; an electric charger, such as an electric vehicle charger; an alternative energy controller; and the like. 
     It should further still be appreciated that the remote device  200  is not limited to the example configuration of the base portion  202 , rotating portion  204 , and PCB  206  relative to each other as illustrated and described herein. For example, in accordance with an alternative configuration of the remote control device  200 , the rotating portion  204  may be supported by the base portion  202  so as to be rotatable in opposed directions about the base portion  202 , and the PCB  206  may be configured to be attached to the rotating portion  204 . The rotating portion  204  may be rotatably attached to the base portion  202 . For example, the base portion  202  may be configured such that the post  242  of the rotating portion  204  may be attached (e.g., rotatably attached) thereto. In this regard, the rotating portion  204  and the PCB  206  may be rotatable about the base portion  202  (e.g., in the clockwise or counterclockwise directions). In accordance with such an alternative configuration, the conductive interconnect member  256  may be configured to be attached the base portion  202  and the remote control device  200  may further include an electrical interconnect member, such as a slip ring, through which one or more electrical wires may be run to provide power to the PCB  206  from the battery  208  retained by the base portion  202 . 
     It should further still be appreciated that the remote control device  200  is not limited to the example configuration using the interconnect member  256  in combination with an incremental rotary encoder circuit (e.g., the array  254  of circuit board pads  252  and corresponding circuit board traces  253  on the PCB  206 ) to provide one or more input signals to a control circuit of the remote control device  200 , and that the remote control device  200  may be alternatively configured with other rotary adjustment components that may provide the one or more input signals to the control circuit. Similarly, the remote control device  300  is not limited to the example configuration using the rotary encoder circuit  304  to provide one or more input signals to the control circuit  302  of the remote control device  300 , and may be alternatively configured with other rotary adjustment components that may provide the one or more input signals to the control circuit  302 . Such alternative rotary adjustment components may include, for example, an accelerometer, an optical encoder, and/or a magnetic encoder (e.g., a Hall effect sensor), that may be configured to provide one or more input signals to respective control circuits of the remote control devices  200 ,  300 . 
     It should further still be appreciated that while remote control devices that are configured to transmit wireless control signals to associated electrical load control devices are described herein with reference to rotary remote control devices (e.g., remote control devices  130 ,  200 , and  300 ), that remote control devices may alternatively be configured with other suitable control interfaces, such as a slider or the like. Such a remote control device may include, for example, a base portion configured to mount over the toggle actuator of a switch, a slider operably coupled to the base portion, a wireless communication circuit, and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the slider and to the wireless communication circuit. The slider may be configured to move, for example linearly, with respect to the base portion. For example, the slider may be slidable, for example linearly, relative to the base portion. The base portion may thus be configured to slidably support the slider. The control circuit may be configured to translate a force applied to the control interface (e.g., a force applied to the slider) into a signal for controlling an associated load control device. The control circuit may be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit the signal.