Patent Publication Number: US-11640216-B2

Title: Wall mounted control device with tactile and touch sensing button combination to increase button configurations

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     Aspects of the embodiments relate to wall mounted control devices, and more specifically to an apparatus, system and method for a wall mounted control device with tactile and touch sensing button combination to increase button configurations. 
     Background Art 
     The popularity of home and building automation has grown in recent years partially due to increases in affordability, improvements, simplicity, and a higher level of technical sophistication of the average end-user. Automation systems integrate various electrical and mechanical system elements within a building or a space, such as a residential home, commercial building, or individual rooms, including meeting rooms, lecture halls, or the like. Examples of such system elements include heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting control systems, audio and video (AV) switching and distribution, motorized window treatments (including blinds, shades, drapes, curtains, etc.), occupancy and/or lighting sensors, and/or motorized or hydraulic actuators, and security systems, to name a few. 
     One way a user can be given control of an automation system, is through the use of one or more control devices, such as keypads. A keypad is typically mounted in a recessed receptacle in a building wall, commonly known as an electrical or a gang box, and comprises one or more buttons or keys each assigned to perform a predetermined or assigned function. Assigned functions may include turning various types of loads on or off, or sending other types of commands to the loads, for example, orchestrating various lighting presets or scenes of a lighting load. The various buttons are typically removable and may be printed with indicia to either identify its respective function or indicate status of the controlled load. 
     To accomplish varying button configurations, a plurality of tactile switches may be disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) of the keypad in an array configuration, for example a 3×5 array of fifteen tactile switches. One or a plurality of buttons of varying sizes and button types, such as push buttons, side to side rockers, or up and down rockers, can be disposed over the PCB of the keypad to actuate one or more of the tactile switches. However, such configurations are costly as they require many additional tactile switches and separate types of button caps to enable different button types—e.g., separate button caps for a push button, a side to side rocker button, and an up and down rocker button. This impedes consistency and complicates supply chain. Additionally, multiple button configurations types are difficult to achieve using only tactile switches—such as a side to side rocker that can also be pushed in the center without ever actuating multiple switches. While one solution to this problem is by using a fully capacitive touch sensing solution with haptic feedback, a haptic feedback on a wall mounted device requires floating of the entire assembly for acceptable results for feel and sound. Even with that, it would not provide the appropriate button feel such as provided by a tactile switch. 
     Accordingly, a need has arisen for an apparatus, system, and method for a wall mounted control device with interchangeable buttons that is accomplished through a combination of tactile switches and touch sensors to increase button configurations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the embodiments to substantially solve at least the problems and/or disadvantages discussed above, and to provide at least one or more of the advantages described below. 
     It is therefore a general aspect of the embodiments to provide an apparatus, system, and method for a wall mounted control device with interchangeable buttons that is accomplished through a combination of tactile switches and touch sensors to increase button configurations. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Further features and advantages of the aspects of the embodiments, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the aspects of the embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the embodiments, a wall mounted control device is provided comprising a housing assembly, at least one button, and a controller. The housing assembly comprises a front surface including plurality of button zones each comprising a tactile switch and a plurality of touch sensors. The at least one button comprises a projection extending from a rear surface thereof. The at least one button is adapted to attach to the housing assembly over at least one of the button zones such that the projection is aligned with the tactile switch in the at least one of the button zones. The controller, electrically connected to the tactile switches and the touch sensors, determines which button zone and which location of the button zone is actuated in response to receiving signals from at least one of the tactile switches and at least one of the touch sensors. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller receives and stores programming data comprising a size of each button attached to the housing assembly, a function of each button, and a location of each button in relation to the button zones. The controller may use the programming data to enable or disable one or more of the tactile switches and touch sensors. The controller may use the programming data to assign control commands to a combination of one or more tactile switches and one or more touch sensors. The at least one button may be selected from at least one of a push button, a side to side rocker button, an up and down rocker button, and any combination thereof. 
     According to an embodiment, the tactile switch provides haptic feedback when the at least one button is pressed. The touch sensors may comprise capacitive touch sensors, inductive touch sensors, infrared touch sensors, surface acoustic wave touch sensors, or any combinations thereof. The controller may determine whether the at least one button is being actuated at a left side, at a right side, at an upper side, at a lower side, or at a center of the at least one button using the plurality of touch sensors. Each button zone may comprise the tactile switch arranged substantially at a center of the button zone and two touch sensors arranged on opposite sides of the tactile switch. Each button zone may further comprise a third touch sensor arranged at the center of the button zone. 
     According to an embodiment, the at least one button comprises a single height button adapted to cover a single zone of the plurality of button zones, wherein the controller receives programming data comprising a selection of a button zone from the plurality of button zones and a selection of a button type. The controller may use the plurality of touch sensors in the selected button zone to determine whether the single height button is pressed on a left side, on a right side, or on the center of the single height button. When the selected button type comprises a push button, the controller associates a control command with the tactile switch of the selected button zone. When the selected button type comprises a side to side rocker, the controller associates a first control command with one of the touch sensors in the selected button zone proximate to a left side of the single height button and a second control command with another one of the touch sensors in the selected button zone proximate to a right side of the single height button. 
     According to another embodiment, the at least one button comprises a multi height button adapted to cover two or more of the plurality of button zones, wherein the controller receives programming data comprising a selection of two or more button zones from the plurality of button zones and a selection of a button type. The controller may use the plurality of touch sensors in the selected button zones to determine whether the multi height button is pressed on a left side, a right side, an upper side, or a lower side of the multi height button. When the selected button type comprises a push button, the controller associates a control command with one or more of the tactile switches of the selected button zones. When the selected button type comprises a side to side rocker, the controller associates a first control command with one or more of the touch sensors in the selected button zones proximate to a left side of the multi height button and a second control command with one or more of the touch sensors in the selected button zone proximate to a right side of the multi height button. When the selected button type comprises an up and down rocker, the controller associates a first control command with one or more of the touch sensors in the selected button zones proximate to an upper side of the multi height button and a second control command with one or more of the touch sensors in the selected button zones proximate to a lower side of the multi height button. When the selected button type comprises an up-down and side to side rocker, the controller associates a first control command with one or more of the touch sensors in the selected button zones proximate to a left side of the multi height button, a second control command with one or more of the touch sensors in the selected button zone proximate to a right side of the multi height button, a third control command with one or more of the touch sensors in the selected button zones proximate to an upper side of the multi height button, and a fourth control command with one or more of the touch sensors in the selected button zones proximate to a lower side of the multi height button. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the plurality of touch sensors comprise a first touch sensor strip longitudinally extending on a left side of the front surface of the housing assembly across the plurality of button zones and a second touch sensor strip longitudinally extending on a right side of the front surface of the housing assembly across the plurality of button zones. The controller may determine which button zone is actuated using the tactile switches and which location the button zone is actuated using the first and second touch sensor strips. 
     According to another aspect of the embodiments, a wall mounted control device is provided comprising a housing assembly, at least one button, and a controller. The housing assembly comprises a front surface including plurality of button zones each comprising a tactile switch and a plurality of touch sensors. The at least one button comprises a projection extending from a rear surface thereof, wherein the at least one button is adapted to attach to the housing assembly over at least one of the button zones such that the projection is aligned with the tactile switch in the at least one of the button zones. The controller is electrically connected to the tactile switches and the touch sensors, wherein the controller selects a control command in response to receiving a signal from at least one of the tactile switches and a signal from at least one of the touch sensors. 
     According to a further aspect of the embodiments, a wall mounted control device is provided comprising a housing assembly, at least one button, and a controller. The housing assembly comprises a front surface including plurality of button zones each comprising a tactile switch, wherein the front surface further includes a pair of touch sensors longitudinally extending on opposite sides of the front surface across the plurality of button zones. The at least one button comprises a projection extending from a rear surface thereof, wherein the at least one button is adapted to attach to the housing assembly over at least one of the button zones such that the projection is aligned with the tactile switch in the at least one of the button zones. The controller is electrically connected to the tactile switches and the touch sensors, wherein the controller determines which button zone and which location of the button zone is actuated in response to receiving signals from at least one of the tactile switches and at least one of the pair of touch sensors. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects and features of the embodiments will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the following figures. Different aspects of the embodiments are illustrated in reference figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered to be illustrative rather than limiting. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the aspects of the embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective front view of an illustrative wall mounted control device according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective front view of the control device with the faceplate removed according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an exploded perspective front view of the control device according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of the control device with the buttons removed according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    shows a perspective front view of a printed circuit board of the control device with a combination of tactile switches and touch sensors according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    shows a perspective front view of another embodiment of a printed circuit board of the control device with a combination of tactile switches and touch sensors according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    shows a perspective front view of another embodiment of a printed circuit board of the control device with a combination of tactile switches and touch sensors according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  8 A  illustrates a front perspective view of a single height button according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  8 B  illustrates a rear perspective view of the single height button according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  8 C  illustrates a top view of the single height button according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  8 D  illustrates a side view of the single height button according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  9 A  illustrates a front perspective view of a three height button according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  9 B  illustrates a rear perspective view of the three height button according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  9 C  illustrates a rear perspective view of a three height button according to another illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates various possible button configurations of the control device according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is an illustrative block diagram of a control device according to an illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a perspective front view of a button tree according to an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. The scope of the embodiments is therefore defined by the appended claims. The detailed description that follows is written from the point of view of a control systems company, so it is to be understood that generally the concepts discussed herein are applicable to various subsystems and not limited to only a particular controlled device or class of devices. 
     Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the embodiments. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular feature, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS FOR THE ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWINGS IN NUMERICAL ORDER 
     The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings in numerical order.
           100  Control Device     101  Housing     102  Buttons     103  Front Surface     106  Faceplate     108  Opening     110  Indicia     202  Vertical Side Walls     203  Horizontal Top Wall     204  Horizontal Bottom Wall     209  Trim Plate     211  Mounting Holes     212  Screws     213  Screws     217  Opening     218  Lens     301  Front Housing Portion     302  Rear Housing Portion     303   a - c  Printed Circuit Board(s) (PCB)     304   a - e  Tactile Switches     305   a - e  Touch Sensors     306  Side Walls     307  Screws     308  Front Wall     309  Openings     310  Openings     311  Light Sources/Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)     314  Side Edges     315  Light Bars     316  Orifices     317  Light Sensor     318  Orifices     319  Shoulders     415   a - e  Button Zones     705   a  Left Touch Sensor     705   b  Right Touch Sensor     801  Front Wall     802  Side Walls     803  Rear Surface     805  Arms     806  Projection     807  Posts     810  Abutments     813  Horizontal Pivot Axis     814  Vertical Pivot Axis     900   a - b  Three-zone Height Button(s)     901  Front Wall     902  Side Walls     903  Rear Surface     905  Arms     906  Projections     907  Posts     910  Abutment     913  Horizontal Pivot Axes     914  Vertical Pivot Axes     1002  Two-zone Height Button     1003  Three-zone Height Button     1004  Four-zone Height Button     1005  Five Height Button     1100  Block Diagram of a Control Device     1101  Controller     1102  Memory     1103  Communication Interface     1104  User Interface     1111  Power Supply     1112  Switch     1113  Dimmer     1200  Button Tree       

     LIST OF ACRONYMS USED IN THE SPECIFICATION IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER 
     The following is a list of the acronyms used in the specification in alphabetical order.
         AC Alternating Current   ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit   AV Audiovisual   DC Direct Current   HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning   IR Infrared   LED Light Emitting Diode   PCB Printed Circuit Board   PoE Power-over-Ethernet   RAM Random-Access Memory   RF Radio Frequency   RGB Red-Green-Blue   RISC Reduced Instruction Set Computer   ROM Read-Only Memory       

     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     For 40 years Crestron Electronics, Inc. has been the world&#39;s leading manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems, innovating technology to simplify and enhance modern lifestyles and businesses. Crestron designs, manufactures, and offers for sale integrated solutions to control audio, video, computer, and environmental systems. In addition, the devices and systems offered by Crestron streamlines technology, improving the quality of life in commercial buildings, universities, hotels, hospitals, and homes, among other locations. Accordingly, the systems, methods, and modes of the aspects of the embodiments described herein can be manufactured by Crestron Electronics, Inc., located in Rockleigh, N.J. 
     The different aspects of the embodiments described herein pertain to the context of wall mounted control devices, but are not limited thereto, except as may be set forth expressly in the appended claims. Particularly, the aspects of the embodiments are related to an apparatus, system, and method for a wall mounted control device with interchangeable buttons or button trees that are accomplished through a combination of tactile switches and touch sensors to increase button configurations. This allows the control device to accommodate various button configurations, such as those shown in  FIG.  10   , without the need for a large number of tactile switches. Also, the present embodiments obviate the need for multiple button designs to accomplish different functions, such as a push button, a side to side rocker button, or an up and down rocker button. The benefit is compounded further when using fixed button tree assemblies, obviating the need for large quantities of configurations of different button types. The present combination of tactile switches with touch sensors allows for a single button design or button tree design that accommodates various functions through programming and engraving, including but not limited to a push button function, a side to side rocker function, an up-down rocker function, or any combinations thereof, such as a side to side rocker with center push function or an up-down rocker with center push function. As such, the number of button types or button trees required is reduced while the number of allowable configurations is increased. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , there is shown a perspective front view of an illustrative wall mounted control device  100  according to an illustrative embodiment. The control device  100  may serve as a user interface to associated loads or load controllers in a space. According to an embodiment, the control device  100  may be configured as a keypad comprising a plurality of buttons, such as five single height buttons  102 . However, other button configuration may be used as will be described below. For example, the control device  100  may be configured as a lighting switch having a single button that may be used to control an on/off status of the load. Alternatively, or in addition, the single button can be used to control a dimming setting of the load. Each button  102  may be associated with a particular load and/or to a particular operation of a load, such as different lighting scenes. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the control device  100  may be configured to receive control commands directly from a user via buttons  102 , and either directly or through a control processor transmit the control command to a load (such as a light, fan, window blinds, etc.) or to a load controller (not shown) electrically connected to the load to control an operation of the load based on the control commands. In various aspects of the embodiments, the control device  100  may control various types of electronic devices or loads. The control device  100  may comprise one or more control ports for interfacing with various types of electronic devices or loads, including, but not limited to audiovisual (AV) equipment, lighting, shades, screens, computers, laptops, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), security, appliances, and other room devices. The control device  100  may be used in residential load control, or in commercial settings, such as classrooms or meeting rooms. 
     Each button  102  may comprise indicia  110  disposed thereon to provide designation of each button&#39;s function. Each button  102  may be backlit, for example via light emitting diodes (LEDs), for visibility and/or to provide status indication of the button  102 . For example, buttons  102  may be backlit by white, blue, or another color LEDs. Different buttons  102  may be backlit via different colors to distinguish between buttons, load types (e.g., emergency load), or the load state (e.g., on, off, or selected scene), AV state (e.g., selected station or selected channel), or button backlight colors may be chosen to complement the surroundings or to give a pleasing visual effect. Buttons  102  may comprise opaque material while the indicia  110  may be transparent or translucent allowing light from the LEDs to pass through the indicia  110  and be perceived from the front surface  103  of the button  102 . The indicia  110  may be formed by engraving, tinting, printing, applying a film, etching, and/or similar processes. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , where  FIG.  2    shows the control device  100  with the faceplate  106  removed. The control device  100  may comprise a housing  101  adapted to house various electrical components of the control device  100 , such as the power supply and an electrical printed circuit board (PCB)  303   a  ( FIG.  3   ). The housing  101  is further adapted to carry the buttons  102  thereon. The buttons  102  may be removably attached to the sides of the housing  101  such that they appear to float on the housing  101 . Although in other embodiments, the buttons  102  may not be removable or replaceable. Other button design and attachment (e.g., non-floating buttons) may also be used with the current embodiments. The housing  101  may comprise mounting holes  211  for mounting the control device  100  to a standard electrical box via screws  212 . According to another embodiment, control device  100  may be mounted to other surfaces using a dedicated enclosure. According yet to another embodiment, the control device  100  may be configured to sit freestanding on a surface, such as a table, via a table top enclosure. 
     Once mounted to a wall or an enclosure, the housing  101  may be covered using a faceplate  106 . The faceplate  106  may comprise an opening  108  sized and shaped for receiving the buttons  102  and/or at least a front portion of the housing  101  therein. The faceplate  106  may be secured to the housing  101  using screws  213 . According to an embodiment, the faceplate  106  may comprise a pair of vertical side walls  202  interconnected at their top by a horizontal top wall  203  and at their bottom by a horizontal bottom wall  204 . Horizontal top and bottom walls  203  and  204  are each adapted to receive a decorative trim plate  209  thereon that covers the screws  213 . The trim plates  209  may be removably attached to the top and bottom horizontal walls  203  and  204  using magnets (not shown). However, other types of faceplates may be used. A plurality of control devices  100  may also be ganged next to each other and covered using a multi gang faceplate as is known in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , which illustrates an exploded view of the control device  100 . Housing  101  of control device  100  may comprise a front housing portion  301  and a rear housing portion  302  adapted to fit within a standard electrical or junction box. Housing  101  contains various electrical components, for example disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB)  303   a  or a plurality of PCBs, configured for providing various functionality to the control device  100 , including for receiving commands and transmitting commands wirelessly to a load or a load controlling device.  FIG.  11    is an illustrative block diagram  1100  of the electrical components of the control device  100 . Control device  100  may comprise a power supply  1111  that may be housed in the rear housing portion  302  for providing power to the various circuit components of the control device  100 . The control device  100  may be powered by an electric alternating current (AC) power signal from an AC mains power source or via DC voltage. Such control device  100  may comprise leads or terminals suitable for making line voltage connections. In yet another embodiment, the control device  100  may be powered using Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or via a Cresnet® port. Cresnet® provides a network wiring solution for Crestron® keypads, lighting controls, thermostats, and other devices. The Cresnet® bus offers wiring and configuration, carrying bidirectional communication and 24 VDC power to each device over a simple 4-conductor cable. However, other types of connections or ports may be utilized. 
     The control device  100  may further include a controller  1101  comprising one or more microprocessors, such as “general purpose” microprocessors, a combination of general and special purpose microprocessors, or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Additionally, or alternatively, the controller  1101  can include one or more reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processors, video processors, or related chip sets. The controller  1101  can provide processing capability to execute an operating system, run various applications, and/or provide processing for one or more of the techniques and functions described herein. The control device  100  can further include a memory  1102  communicably coupled to the controller  1101  and storing data and executable code. The memory  1102  can represent volatile memory such as random-access memory (RAM), but can also include nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) or Flash memory. In buffering or caching data related to operations of the controller  1101 , memory  1102  can store data associated with applications running on the controller  1101 . 
     The control device  100  can further comprise one or more communication interfaces  1103 , such as a wired or a wireless communication interface, configured for transmitting control commands to various connected loads or electrical devices, and receiving feedback. A wireless interface may be configured for bidirectional wireless communication with other electronic devices over a wireless network. In various embodiments, the wireless interface can comprise a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, an infrared (IR) transceiver, or other communication technologies known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the wireless interface communicates using the infiNET EX® protocol from Crestron Electronics, Inc. of Rockleigh, N.J. infiNET EX® is an extremely reliable and affordable protocol that employs steadfast two-way RF communications throughout a residential or commercial structure without the need for physical control wiring. In another embodiment, communication is employed using the ZigBee® protocol from ZigBee Alliance. In yet another embodiment, the wireless communication interface may communicate via Bluetooth transmission. A wired communication interface may be configured for bidirectional communication with other devices over a wired network. The wired interface can represent, for example, an Ethernet or a Cresnet® port. In various aspects of the embodiments, control device  100  can both receive the electric power signal and output control commands through the PoE interface. 
     The control device  100  may further comprise a user interface  1104 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the front surface of the PCB  303   a  may comprise a plurality of micro-switches or tactile switches  304   a - e  and a plurality of touch sensors  305   a - e . For example, the PCB  303   a  may contain a single column of five tactile switches  304   a - e  and fifteen touch sensors  305   a - e  arranged in a three columns and five rows to accommodate various number of button configurations. However, other number of switches and touch sensors and their respective layouts may be utilized to accommodate other button configurations. The tactile switches  304   a - e  and touch sensors  305   a - e  are adapted to be activated via buttons  102  to receive user input as further discussed below. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  11   , the control device  100  may also comprise a switch  1112  configured for switching a connected load on or off in response to an actuation of a button  102 . According to one embodiment, switch  1112  may comprise of one or more electromechanical relays, which may use an electromagnet to mechanically operate a switch. In another embodiment, a solid-state relay (SSR) may be used comprising semiconductor devices, such as thyristors (e.g., TRIAC) and transistors, to switch currents up or down. In addition, the control device  100  may comprise of one or more dimmers  1113  configured for providing a dimmed voltage output to a connected load, such as a lighting load, in response to user input. The dimmer  1113  may comprise a solid-state dimmer for dimming different types of lighting loads, including incandescent, fluorescent, LED, or the like. According to an embodiment, the dimmer  1113  may comprise a 0-10V DC dimmer to provide a dimmed voltage output to an LED lighting load, a fluorescent lighting load, or the like. The dimmer  1113  of the control device  100  may also reduce its output based on light levels reported by the light sensor  317 . 
     The control device  100  may further comprise a plurality of light sources  311  configured for providing backlighting to corresponding buttons  102 . Each light source  311  may comprise a multicolored light emitting diode (LED), such as a red-green-blue LED (RGB LED), comprising of red, green, and blue LED emitters in a single package. Although a white LED emitter or LED emitters of other colors can be used instead or additionally included. Each red, green, and blue LED emitter can be independently controlled at a different intensity to selectively produce a plurality of different colors. The plurality of LEDs  311  may be powered using one or more LED drivers located on PCB  303   a . According to an embodiment, a pair of LEDs  311  may be located on two opposite sides of each row of tactile switches  304   a - e.    
     The control device  100  may further comprise a light sensor  317  configured for detecting and measuring ambient light. According to an embodiment, light sensor  317  can comprise at least one photosensor having an internal photocell with 0-65535 lux (0-6089 foot-candles) light sensing output to measure light intensity from natural daylight and ambient light sources. Light sensor  317  may be used to control the intensity of the load that is being controlled by the control device  100 . In addition, light sensor  317  may be used to control the intensity levels of LEDs  311  based on the measured ambient light levels. According to an embodiment, light sensor  317  may impact the intensity levels of LEDs  311  to stay at the same perceived brightness with respect to the measured ambient light levels. A dimming curve may be used to adjust the brightness of LEDs  311  based on measured ambient light levels by the light sensor  317 . According to another embodiment, ambient light sensor threshold values may be used to adjust the LED intensity or behavior. According to yet another embodiment, light sensor  317  may impact the color of the LEDs  311  based on the measured ambient light levels. Referring to  FIG.  2   , the faceplate  106  may comprise an opening  217  adapted to contain a lens  218 . Lens  218  may direct ambient light from a bottom edge of the faceplate  106  toward the light sensor  317 . The lens  218  may be hidden from view by the trim plate  209 . The PCB  303   a  may comprise other types of sensors, such as motion or proximity sensors. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  3   , the control device  100  may further comprise a plurality of horizontally disposed rectangular light pipes or light bars  315  each adapted to be positioned adjacent a respective row of tactile switches  304   a - e  and touch sensors  305   a - e  and between a respective pair of light sources  311 . According to one embodiment, the light bars  315  may be individually attached to the front surface of the PCB  303   a , for example, using an adhesive. According to another embodiment, the light bars  315  may be interconnected into a single tree structure and adapted to be attached within the housing  101  via screws  307 . Light bars  315  may be fabricated from optical fiber or transparent plastic material such as acrylic, polycarbonate, or the like. Each pair of oppositely disposed light sources  311  may extend from the front surface of the PCB  303   a  to direct light to opposite side edges  314  of a respective light bar  315 . Each light bar  315  in turn will distribute and diffuse light from the respective pair of light sources  311  and direct the light through the indicia  110  of the respective button  102 . 
     The front housing portion  301  is adapted to be secured to the rear housing portion  302  using screws  307  such that the PCB  303   a  and light bars  315  are disposed therebetween. The front housing portion  301  comprises a front wall  308  with a substantially flat front surface. The front wall  308  may comprise a plurality of openings  309  extending traversely therethrough aligned with and adapted to provide access to the tactile switches  304   a - e  as shown in  FIG.  4   . Front wall  308  may further comprise rectangular horizontal openings  310  extending traversely therethrough that are aligned with and sized to surround at least a front portion of a respective light bar  315 . The front housing portion  301  may comprise an opaque material, such as a black colored plastic or the like, that impedes light transmission through the front wall  308  to prevent light bleeding from one set of light bar  315  and corresponding light sources  311  to another set. In addition, the front wall  308  may further comprise a plurality of orifices  316 , and the PCB  303   a  may also comprise a plurality of orifices  318  at corresponding locations, for providing alignment points for the buttons  102  as described below. 
     The front housing portion  301  may comprise a pair of side walls  306  orthogonally and rearwardly extending from side edges of the front wall  308 . Each side wall  306  may comprise one or a plurality of recessed shoulders  319  for buttons to clip to. For example, to accommodate five buttons, six recessed shoulders  319  may be provided. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , there is shown a perspective view of the control device  100  with the buttons  102  removed and the PCB  303   a , respectively. The control device  100  defines a plurality of button zones  415   a - e  adapted to receive a plurality of rows of different height buttons. Particularly, each button zone  415   a - e  may be configured to receive a single height button  102 . For example, the control device  100  is shown containing five button zones  415   a - e  adapted to receive five single height buttons, but it may comprise any other number of button zones. Each button zone  415   a - e  may comprise one or more tactile switches  304   a - e  and one or more touch sensors  305   a - e , and optionally, one or more button alignment orifices  316 , a light bar  315 , and one or more corresponding light sources  311 . 
     According to an embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  5   , each button zone  415   a - e  may comprise a single tactile switch  304   a - e , although additional tactile switches per button zone may be utilized. Tactile switches  304   a - e  are mechanical switches that provide tactile or haptic feedback via mechanical components by which the user can feel and perceive that a key press has been registered. The feedback may be provided via a spring, a metal snap dome, a rubber dome, a membrane, a leaf spring, a tactile actuator, or other mechanical mechanism known in the art. For example, for a five button zone  415   a - e  configuration, the PCB  303   a  may comprise five tactile switches  304   a - e  arranged in a single column, although a different arrangement can also be used. As such, each button  102 , no matter of the size or type, is still provided with at least one tactile switch  304   a - e  to provide tactile feedback. 
     Each button zone  415   a - e  is further associated with an array of a plurality of touch sensors  305   a - e . Each touch sensor  305   a - e  may comprise a capacitive touch sensor comprising at least one conductor pad, such as a copper pad, disposed on the PCB  303   a  and connected to capacitive sensing controller, which may be separate from or integrated into controller  1101 . The conductor pad acts as a capacitor plate that is exposed to an increase in capacitance when a finger comes near or in contact with the pad. The capacitive sensing controller measures changes in the capacitance compared to the environment to detect presence of a finger on or near the conductive pad. Each capacitive touch sensor  305   a - e  can be used to detect a touch of a user&#39;s finger through an overlay, in this case the front wall  801  ( FIG.  8   ) of the button  102  when it is attached to the control device  101 . According to other embodiments, touch sensors  305   a - e  may comprise other touch sensing technologies known in the art, such as but not limited to inductive touch sensors, infrared touch sensors, surface acoustic wave touch sensors, or the like. The array of touch sensors  305   a - e  in each button zone  415   a - e  may detect the location where a person is pushing the button, e.g., whether a person is pushing the left, right, and/or center part of the button. This can be accomplished with as many as three touch sensing points (e.g.,  FIG.  5   ) or as few as two (e.g.,  FIG.  6   ) per zone, although other number of touch sensors may be utilized per zone.  FIG.  5    illustrates three touch sensors  305   a - e  arranged in a row per each button zone  415   a - e , respectively, resulting in fifteen touch sensing points. Each center touch sensor in the array  305   a - e  may be in proximity to the respective tactile switch  304   a - e  in the respective button zone  415   a - e . The other two touch sensors in the array  305   a - e  may be arranged on two opposite sides of the respective tactile switch  304   a - e  in each button zone  415   a - e . As such, each button zone  415   a - e  comprises a group of three touch sensing points—for center, left, and right detection. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , different button configurations can be implemented by combining different height buttons. In addition to a single height button that spans a single button zone (e.g.,  102 ), two or more button zones  415   a - e  may be combined to receive a multi-zone height button, such as a two-zone height button that spans two button zones (e.g.,  1002 ), a three-zone height button that spans three button zones (e.g.,  1003 ), a four-zone height button that spans four button zones (e.g.,  1004 ), or a five-zone height button that spans five button zones (e.g.,  1005 ). The various button configurations beneficially share the same circuit board layout shown in  FIG.  5    by utilizing one or more of the tactile switches  304   a - e  and touch sensors  305   a - e . Depending on which tactile switches  304   a - e  and touch sensors  305   a - e  are exposed by a button, each of the various single or multi-zone button height buttons may be configured to operate as a push button (e.g., button  1002 ), a side to side rocker button with or without a center push (e.g., button  1006 ), an up and down rocker button with or without a center push (e.g., button  1005 ), or other types of buttons, as further discussed below. As such, the control device  100  of the present embodiments may interchangeably receive various single or multi-zone height buttons to provide a vast number of possible configurations and operations, as required by an application, some of which are shown in  FIG.  10   . Other button assembly configurations are also contemplated by the present embodiments. 
     The wall-mounted control device  100  can be configured in the field, such as by an installation technician, in order to accommodate many site-specific requirements. Field configuration can include selection and installation of an appropriate button configuration, and assignment of button functions, based on the type of load, the available settings for the load, etc. Advantageously, such field configurability allows an installation technician to adapt the electrical device to changing field requirements (or design specifications). The buttons can be field replaceable without removing the device from the wall. After securing the buttons  102  on the control device  100 , the installer may program the button configuration through a setup application or by tapping on the installed buttons through a setup sequence. The configured buttons can then be assigned to a particular load or a load function. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 A- 8 D , there is shown an exemplary single press single height button  102 , where  FIG.  8 A  shows a front perspective view of the single height button  102 ,  FIG.  8 B  shows a rear perspective view of the single height button  102 ,  FIG.  8 C  shows a top view of the single height button  102 , and  FIG.  8 D  shows a side view of the single height button  102 . Button  102  may comprise a front wall  801  comprising the front surface  103  and a rear surface  803 . A pair of side walls  802  may laterally and rearwardly extend from the side edges of the front wall  801 . Each side wall  802  may comprise a pair of arms  805  transversely and inwardly extending from a terminal end of the side wall  802 . The button  102  may further comprise a pair of alignment posts  807  transversely extending from the rear surface  803  of the front wall  801 . The posts  807  may be received in orifice  316  in the front wall  308  of the front housing portion  301  and in orifice  318  in the PCB  303   a  to align the button  102  with the housing  101 . In addition, the button  102  may comprise one or more abutments  810  transversely extending from its rear surface  803  to provide one or more pivot points or axes, such as a horizontal pivot axis  813 , and one or two vertical pivot axes  814 . Although other button designs are contemplated where posts  807  and/or abutments  810  are not included. The button  102  may also comprise a switch actuator in the form of a projection or a hammer  806  transversely extending from the horizontal center of the rear surface  803  of the button  102 . The projection  806  is adapted to depress or strike at least one tactile switch  304   a - e  located on the PCB  303   a  when the button  102  is pressed by a user. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 - 5 , and  8 A- 8 D , the single-zone height button  102  comprises a height substantially equal to a height of a single button zone (e.g.,  415   a ) such that it may be attached to the front housing portion  301  at any one of the button zones  415   a - e . For example, the single-zone height button  102  may be attached to the front housing portion  301  at zone  415   a  by being snapped onto the front housing portion  301 . Particularly, each pair of arms  805  on each side wall  802  of button  102  are caused to engage a pair of adjacent shoulders  319  in a respective side wall  306  of the front housing portion  301  aligned with zone  415   a , such that the button  102  hugs side walls  306  of the front housing portion  301 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . Although the button  102  may be attached to the housing  101  in a different manner. The pair of posts  807  are inserted through the pair of alignment orifices  316  of front housing portion  301  and into respective alignment orifices  318  on the PCB  303   a  at zone  415   a . This prevents vertical and horizontal displacement of the button  102  out of the zone  415   a . Abutments  810  may abut against the front housing portion  301  to provide pivoting points or axes. The switch actuating projection  806  will rest against the tactile switch  304   a  without depressing it. 
     A single-zone height button  102  will expose switch  304   a  and the array of touch sensors  305   a  in zone  415   a . The location of where the button  102  is pressed, such as center, left side, or right side, can be determined via one of the touch sensors  305   a  located underneath the button  102 . Button  102  can be programmed as a push button or a side to side rocker button with or without center push. When programmed as a push button, the tactile switch  304   a  may be activated while touch sensors  305   a  in button zone  415   a  may be deactivated. According to another embodiment, the center touch sensor in array  305   a  may be activated to detect whether the button  102  is pressed in its center. In use, the button  102  may be depressed by a user at proximity to its center, for example to provide an on/off operation, causing the button  102  to pivot about pivot axis  813  in a downward direction and the projection  806  to depress the tactile switch  304   a  of zone  415   a . In response, the controller  1101  detecting a press of switch  304   a , and/or proximity of the user&#39;s finger to center touch sensor  305   a , may execute an assigned command. 
     Button  102  can also be programmed as a side to side rocker with or without center push, for example to provide a shade raise or lower operation with an optional center push to toggle the shade to fully open or close. When programmed as a side to side rocker, the controller  1101  may activated tactile switch  304   a  and either all of the touch sensors  305   a  or two of the touch sensors  305   s  located on two opposite sides of the tactile switch  304   a . In use, the button  102  may be pressed by the user and the controller  1101  detects whether the button  102  is pressed in its center, on its left side, or on its right side—depending on the proximity of the user&#39;s fingers to the touch sensors  305   a  in zone  415   a . If the button  102  is pressed on the center, the controller  1101  may ignore the press or execute a command associated with the center press, if any. If the button  102  is pressed on its left side, the projection  806  will depress the tactile switch  304   a  of zone  415   a  giving the user the tactile feedback and the button  102  will pivot left with respect to the vertical axis  814 . Similarly, if the button  102  is pressed on its right side, the projection  806  will depress the tactile switch  304   a  of zone  415   a  giving the user the tactile feedback and the button  102  will pivot right with respect to the vertical axis  814 . The controller  1101  will detect whether the button  102  was pressed on its left or right side using the respective touch sensor  305   a  and will execute assigned command associated with that input. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 A and  9 B , there is shown an exemplary multi-zone height button, for example a three-zone height button  900   a , where  FIG.  9 A  shows a front perspective view of button  900   a  and  FIG.  9 B  shows a rear perspective view of button  900   a . Button  900   a  may comprise a similar configuration as button  102  comprising a front wall  901 , side walls  902 , arms  905 , as well as a pair of alignment posts  907  and abutments  910  extending from its rear surface  903 . Button  900   a  may further comprise a pair of switch actuators in the form of projections or hammers  906  transversely extending from the rear surface  903  of the front wall  901  along its horizontal center. A first projection  906  may be adjacent the top edge of the front wall  901  and a second projection  906  may be adjacent the bottom edge of the front wall  901 . Although according to another embodiment, a single projection  906  may be implemented in multi-zone height buttons at a location adapted to engage one of the tactile switches  304   a - e  as further discussed below. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 - 5  and  9 A- 9 B , the three-zone height button  900   a  may be attached to the front housing portion  301  over any combination of three adjacent button zones  415   a - e . For example, the three-zone height button  900   a  may be attached to the front housing portion  301  over zones  415   c ,  415   d , and  415   e  by being snapped onto the front housing portion  301  by engaging arms  905  with shoulders  319  of the front housing portion  301  while abutments  910  abut against the front wall  308  of the front housing portion  301 . The three-zone height button  900   a  with two switch actuating projections  906  will expose two tactile switches  304   c  and  304   e  and arrays  305   c ,  305   d , and  305   e  of nine touch sensors in zones  415   c - e , although additional projections  906  may be provided to expose the third tactile switch  304   d . Button  900   a  may be programmed as a push button, a side to side rocker, an up and down rocker, or any combinations thereof, such as a side to side rocker with or without a center push, an up and down rocker with or without a center push, or an up-down and side to side rocker with or without a center push. The location of where the button  900   a  is pressed, such as center, top side, bottom side, left side, or right side, can be determined via one of the touch sensors  305   c - e  located underneath button  900   a . As such, a separate button cap for each button type is not necessary to achieve different button types. Instead, the same button cap can be used for each button type while the keypad can be programmed to the desired button type and the desired function. The installer may provide input or programming data to the controller  1101  comprising the installed button size, the installed button zone location  415   a - e , the desired function for the button, or the like. In response, the controller  1101  can determine which combination of the tactile button switches  304   a - e  and/or touch sensors  305   a - e  to activate or receive input from, determine various input combinations from tactile button switches  304   a - e  and/or touch sensors  305   a - e , and associate each input combination with one or more control commands. The controller  1101  may store the programming data in its memory  1102 . Accordingly, for a five button zone keypad, five different button sizes can be provided to achieve a large number of button configurations and actions. 
     As an example, when programmed as a push button, the controller  1101  can turn off touch sensors  305   c - e  in button zones  415   c - e  and detect a button press when either of the two tactile switches  304   c  and  304   e  are pressed via button  900   a . Although the controller  1101  can keep one or more of the touch sensors  305   c - e  turned on to detect whether button  900   a  was pressed at its center. When programmed as a side to side rocker button, the controller  1101  can use the touch sensors  305   c - e  located underneath the button  900   a  to detect whether the button  900   a  is pressed on its left side or on its right side, as discussed above. Button  900   a  can pivot about abutments  910  along vertical axes  914  when it is pressed on its left or right side. Tactile switches  304   c  and  304   e  can be depressed via projections  906  to give the user tactile feedback. The controller  1101  may ignore button presses if it detects that the button  900   a  was pressed on its center, on its top side, or on its bottom side. 
     A multi-zone button, such as three-zone height button  900   a  can be also programmed as an up and down rocker, for example to provide an on and off operation. In use, the controller  1101  receives signals from the touch sensors  305   c - e  located underneath the button  900   a  to detect whether the button  900   a  is pressed on its upper side or on its lower side—depending on the proximity of the user&#39;s fingers to the touch sensors  305   c - e  in zones  415   c - e . If the button  102  is pressed on its upper side, the upper projection  906  will depress the tactile switch  304   c  of zone  415   c  giving the user the tactile feedback, the button  900   a  will pivot up with respect to the horizontal axis  913 , and the controller  1101  will detect that the button  900   a  was pressed on its upper side via touch sensors  305   c . Similarly, if the button  900   a  is pressed on its lower side, the lower projection  906  will depress the tactile switch  304   e  of zone  415   e  giving the user the tactile feedback, the button  902  will pivot down with respect to the horizontal axis  913 , and the controller  1101  will detect that the button  900   a  was pressed on its lower side via touch sensors  305   e . The controller  1101  may ignore button presses if it detects that the button  900   a  is pressed on its center, on its left side, or on its right side. According to another embodiment, another function may be assigned to a center press of the up and down rocker. 
       FIG.  9 C  illustrates a rear perspective view of yet another embodiment of a multi-zone height button, such as three-zone height button  900   b , that can be attached over a combination of three button zones, such as zones  415   c ,  415   d , and  415   e . Instead of two projections, button  900   b  can comprise a single switch actuating projection  906  proximate to its center to expose a single tactile switch  304   d  and arrays  305   c ,  305   d , and  305   e  of nine touch sensors in zones  415   c - e . Button  900   b  may be programmed as a push button, a side to side rocker, an up and down rocker, or any combinations thereof. Whenever the button  900   b  is pressed, irrespective of the location where it is pressed, the tactile switch  304   d  is depressed using projection  906 . The location of where the button  900   b  is pressed, whether in its center, top side, bottom side, left side, or right side, can be determined via one of the touch sensors  305   c - e  located underneath button  900   b . When programmed as a push button, the controller  1101  can turn off touch sensors  305   c - e  in button zones  415   c - e  and detect a button press using the tactile switch  304   d . Although the controller  1101  can keep one or more of the touch sensors  305   c - e  turned on to detect whether button  900   b  was pressed at its center. When programmed as a side to side rocker button, the controller  1101  can use the touch sensors  305   c - e  located underneath the button  900   b  to detect whether the button  900   b  is pressed on its left side or on its right side, as discussed above. When programmed as an up and down rocker, the controller  1101  can use the touch sensors  305   c - e  located underneath the button  900   b  to detect whether the button  900   b  is pressed on its upper side or on its lower side. When programmed as an up-down and side to side rocker, the controller  1101  can use the touch sensors  305   c - e  located underneath the button  900   b  to detect whether the button  900   b  is pressed on its upper side, lower side, left side, or right side. 
     Other multi-zone button configurations may comprise similar configurations to buttons  900   a - b , including the two  1002 , four  1004 , and five  1005  zone height button configurations shown in  FIG.  10   . The other height buttons sizes can be similarly configured and programmed as discussed above with reference to buttons  900   a - b . While the above embodiments are described using five button zones, it should be apparent that a different number of button zones can be utilized with a different number of button height sizes without departing from the scope of the present embodiments. In addition, although separate button caps are illustrated, the buttons for each configuration type shown in  FIG.  11    can be interconnected to form a button tree comprising a plurality of interconnected buttons, for example button tree  1200  shown in  FIG.  12   . 
     According to another embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the center touch sensor in each button zone  415   a - e  of the PCB  303   b  can be eliminated, resulting in ten touch sensing points. In such a configuration, center presses can be detected using the center tactile switches  304   a - e  and/or detecting a close to equal capacitance from both the left and right sensors.  FIG.  7    shows yet another embodiment of a PCB  303   c  comprising a first touch sensor strip  705   a  and a second touch sensor strip  705   b . The first touch sensor strip  705   a  can longitudinally extend on one side of the column of tactile switches  304   a - e  across all the button zones  415   a - e . The second touch sensor strip  705   b  can longitudinally extends on the opposite side of the column of tactile switches  304   a - e  across all the button zones  415   a - e . Using such a combination, the controller  1101  can determine which tactile buttons was pressed  304   a - e  in which zone  415   a - e  and also which side of the button was pressed in a similar manner as discussed above. A third touch sensor strip can be also placed proximate to the column of tactile switches  304   a - e  for more accurate center detection. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus, system, and method for a wall mounted control device with interchangeable buttons that is accomplished through a combination of tactile switches and touch sensors to increase button configurations. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed embodiments. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. 
     Although the features and elements of aspects of the embodiments are described being in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone, without the other features and elements of the embodiments, or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein. 
     This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims. 
     The above-described embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the embodiments. Thus the embodiments are capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. 
     Additionally, the various methods described above are not meant to limit the aspects of the embodiments, or to suggest that the aspects of the embodiments should be implemented following the described methods. The purpose of the described methods is to facilitate the understanding of one or more aspects of the embodiments and to provide the reader with one or many possible implementations of the processed discussed herein. The steps performed during the described methods are not intended to completely describe the entire process but only to illustrate some of the aspects discussed above. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the steps may be performed in a different order and that some steps may be eliminated or substituted. 
     All United States patents and applications, foreign patents, and publications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS 
     Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the different aspects of the embodiments.