Patent Description:
The present application relates generally to the field of lighting control systems.

Customizing and automating home lighting control devices is often epitomized by the installation of unsightly lighting switches that are inundated with light switches confusingly mapped to respective fixtures. Automated home lighting control systems can also include large, complex, expensive central hubs that require expert or skilled technicians for installation and/or operation. Smart light bulbs and/or Wi-Fi enabled lightbulbs introduced into any of these contexts or even in simpler ones can disadvantageously be limited by the light switch that it is associated with and/or the lighting fixture itself. For example, if a light switch associated with a smart light bulb is switched off the smart light bulb becomes inoperable.

Different light bulb types and models have different properties that determine how they behave to a provided current. The threshold at which a light "pops-on" and the rate at which the light "warms-up" is generally to unique to the specific bulb and depends on factors such as bulb type and bulb manufacturer. Also smart bulbs have their own inherent properties that uniquely drive the bulbs rate of dimming. <CIT> describes an intelligent dimmer that is capable of "learning the type
of load it is controlling, and adjusts its operating parameters accordingly. The present invention can adaptively drive electrical loads over a wide range of wattages. The intelligent dimmer is configured to automatically calibrate itself based on the load current demands of a particular electrical load. The intelligent dimmer also adaptively limits inrush currents to extend the life expectancy of the solid state switching components. <CIT> describes a lighting control circuit for dimming a light is provided with different algorithms that are utilized to dim fluorescent and incandescent lights. Some method of identifying the type of light which is to be dimmed, reports to a control for the lighting control circuit, and the appropriate algorithm is then selected and utilized. <CIT> describes a lighting control system comprising a plurality of intelligent switches designed to replace a conventional light switch, each of the intelligent switches including a receiver configured to receive communication signals that include rules based instructions for controlling one or more lighting circuits; a circuit interrupter configured to control the amount of current flowing to a lighting circuit; a memory configured to store the rules based instructions; and a processor coupled with the receiver, memory, and circuit interrupter, the processor configured to control the operation of the circuit interrupter based on the rules based instructions stored in memory. <CIT> describes a motor vehicle electrical power system configured to test a vehicle's light sources to determine the types of light sources installed on the vehicle and their operational readiness. <CIT> describes a dimmer comprising a touch sensitive element comprising illuminated status indicators.

Different bulb types have different dimming curves to appear to dim in a coordinated fashion. To light a scene in a visually coordinated fashion, different dimming curves must be used. The inventors have appreciated that various embodiments disclosed herein provide bulb detection to permit synchronization and coordinated changes in lighting scenes. The inventors have appreciated that normalizing the behavior of a plurality of bulb types and models provides a synchronous elegant lighting experience. Additionally, the inventors have appreciated that determining a wattage, a number of bulbs on a circuit and a bulb manufacturer can be used to <NUM>) identify when a bulb "burns out"; <NUM>) determine how many bulbs on the circuit have burned out; and <NUM>) allow streamlined reordering, for example online, of the correct number, wattage and manufacturer of bulbs.

The invention is directed to a lighting control system bulb detection apparatus for determining a bulb type according to claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, the controller is configured to determine the bulb type by comparing a correlation of a quantity of electrical energy and a measured response to a plurality of correlations stored for a plurality of bulb types.

In some embodiments, the bulb type is selected from the group consisting of incandescent, fluorescent, LED, halogen, high intensity discharge, magnetic low-voltage, and electronic low-voltage.

In some embodiments, the quantity includes a non-zero quantity configured to leak electricity through the bulb with substantially no illumination of the bulb.

In some embodiments, the electrical energy is at an electric current below at least one of <NUM> milliamps, <NUM> milliamps, and <NUM> milliamps.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to cause the transmission of electrical energy at full power. Full power is provided by a fully closed circuit where the current draw from the bulb can be measured without any dimming.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to cause the transmission of electrical energy in partial power increments.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to gradually increase the quantity of electrical energy.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to rapidly increase the quantity of electrical energy.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to increase the quantity of electrical energy substantially instantaneously (e.g. on the order of less than a second and linearly) and the detector circuit is configured to measure the response on a line connected to the lighting circuit.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module is configured to decrease the quantity of electrical energy to zero substantially instantaneously (e.g. on the order of less than a second and linearly) and the detector circuit is configured to measure the response on a line connected to the lighting circuit.

The quantity can be increased linearly in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the detector circuit is configured to measure the immediate response in current draw.

In some embodiments, the detector circuit is configured to measure current.

In some embodiments, the detector circuit is configured to measure voltage.

In some embodiments, the detector circuit is configured to measure impedance.

In some embodiments, the detector circuit is configured to measure at least one of current, voltage, and impedance via an analog-digital convertor.

In some embodiments, the analog-digital convertor is configured to measure the at least one of current, voltage, and impedance at a resolution of at least <NUM>,<NUM> samples per second.

In an example, controller is configured to identify a bulb manufacturer based on the current measurement following an increase in voltage.

According to the invention, controller is configured to identify a bulb manufacturer based on the current measurement following a rapid decrease in voltage.

According to the invention, controller is configured to select a dimming profile from a plurality of dimming profiles stored in a database of the controller based on the determined bulb type.

In some embodiments, diming profile is selected from a group comprising a forward phase, a reverse phase, and a non-dimmable.

In some embodiments, controller is configured identify a wattage rating.

In some embodiments, controller is configured to identify the number of bulbs on the circuit by measuring an electrical load draw and then estimating a bulb number range.

In some embodiments, switch controller may identify the number of bulbs on a circuit by utilizing signal processing of the current sensor's data from the lighting control module. As every light bulb is slightly different and therefore responds to an identical load slightly but measurably different, the collective response read by the switch's current sensor is able to be differentiated by separating out the various waveforms of each bulb.

In some embodiments, an estimate of the number of bulbs that are on the circuit is made. A comparison of the bulbs may be made based on the power draw and an estimate of the number determined based thereon.

In some embodiments, a range of the number of bulbs is determined.

In some embodiments, the range of bulbs is determined based on an estimate of the power draw on the line.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to identify the number of bulbs on the circuit by measuring a plurality of discrete patterns of impedances.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to separate one discrete pattern of impedance in the plurality of discrete patterns of impedance from another discrete pattern of impedance.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module comprises a light switch actuator including a contact component and a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator.

In some embodiments, the light switch actuator is configured to move the contact component from a first position to a second position to connect an electrical flow path by movement of an actuation surface of the light switch actuator and wherein the tactile display configured to move contemporaneously with the actuation surface, the tactile display configured to toggle between lighting settings in response to one or more motions on the actuation surface, the tactile display configured to discretely display a distinct icon in response to a change in the lighting setting.

In some embodiments, the lighting control module comprises an antenna configured for wireless transmission.

The drawings primarily are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; in some instances, various aspects of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate an understanding of different features. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to like features (e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements).

The features and advantages of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and exemplary embodiments of, inventive components of lighting control devices.

<FIG> is a perspective partially exploded view of a lighting control device <NUM>. The lighting control device <NUM> includes a switch module <NUM> including a light switch actuator <NUM> and a tactile display <NUM> housed in the light switch actuator <NUM>. The lighting control device <NUM> also includes a wall plate cover <NUM> including a switch module opening <NUM> extending therethrough. The lighting control device <NUM> also includes a base module <NUM> configured for coupling to the switch module <NUM> via multi-pin socket <NUM>. The base module <NUM> is sized and configured for receipt within a one-gang wall electrical box and has a volume corresponding substantially thereto. The base module <NUM> is configured to be coupled to a wall electrical box via connection tabs <NUM> and fastener apertures <NUM> in the connection tabs <NUM>.

The light switch actuator <NUM> includes an outer actuation surface <NUM>, which as discussed further herein may be composed of glass. The actuation surface <NUM> is movable, for example, by pushing on the curved foot <NUM> to cause the light switch actuator <NUM> to pivot, for example. The pivoting of the light switch actuator <NUM> and the actuation surface <NUM> causes a contact component (shown in <FIG>) of the switch actuator <NUM> to move from a first position to a second position. Movement of the contact component causes a connection of an electrical flow path, for example by allowing two electrical contacts to connect or by connecting the contact component with an electrical contact. The connecting of the electrical flow path, permits electrical energy supplied by a power source connected to the base module <NUM> to energize or activate the tactile display <NUM>, as discussed in further detail herein. The tactile display <NUM> is structured in the switch module to move contemporaneously with at least a portion of the actuation surface <NUM> and with the actuator <NUM>. When activated or energized, the tactile display <NUM> allows a user to define or select predefined lighting settings where the lighting settings change the voltage or power supplied to one or more light fixtures. The change in power supplied to the light fixtures may include a plurality of different voltages supplied to each fixture and may be based on various parameters including, but not limited to, location, light intensity, light color, type of bulb, type of light, ambient light levels, time of day, kind of activity, room temperature, noise level, energy costs, user proximity, user identity, or various other parameters which may be specified or detected. Furthermore, the lighting control device <NUM> may be connected to all of the lights in a room or even in a house and can be configured to operate cooperatively with one or more other lighting control devices <NUM> located in a unit or room and connected to the same or distinct lighting fixtures.

<FIG> is a fully exploded view of the lighting control device <NUM> of <FIG>. As demonstrated in <FIG>, the tactile display <NUM> is positioned between the outer actuation surface <NUM> and the light switch actuator <NUM>. The actuation surface <NUM> may be composed of an impact-resistant glass material permitting light from the tactile display <NUM> and/or a clear sight of path for sensors <NUM> or other lights, such as a light from light pipe <NUM> indicating activation to pass through the actuation surface <NUM>. The tactile display <NUM> is composed of a polymer-based capacitive touch layer <NUM> and a light emitting diode panel <NUM>, which are controlled via one or more modules or processors positioned on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The tactile display <NUM> is housed within a recess <NUM> of the light switch actuator <NUM> beneath the actuation surface <NUM>. The light switch actuator <NUM> may be formed as a thermoplastic housing including a housing cover <NUM> and a housing base <NUM>. The light switch actuator housing cover <NUM> is pivotally connected to the housing base <NUM> via pins <NUM> and the housing cover <NUM> is biased with respect the housing base <NUM> via torsion spring <NUM>. In particular embodiments, the light switch actuator housing cover <NUM> may be configured to slide or otherwise translate or rotate. The outer actuation surface <NUM> is biased with the switch actuator housing cover <NUM> and moves contemporaneously therewith in concert with the tactile display <NUM> housed in the cover component <NUM> of the light switch actuator <NUM>. The light switch actuator <NUM> includes a switch pin <NUM> movable between positions to close an open circuit on the primary printed circuit board substrate <NUM>, which board also houses a switch controller or processor. In certain embodiments the light switch actuator <NUM> may include a circuit board stack, including the primary printed circuit board substrate <NUM> and a secondary printed circuit board <NUM> The light switch actuator <NUM> may include a latch <NUM> for coupling to the base module <NUM> (e.g. as the light switch actuator <NUM> is passed through the opening <NUM> in the wall plate cover <NUM>), which latch causes the light switch actuator <NUM> to click into place. The housing base <NUM> includes a multi-pin connector or plug <NUM> configured to engage the multi-pin socket <NUM> of the base module <NUM>.

The lighting control device <NUM> includes a mounting chassis <NUM> configured to be installed to an electrical wall box. The mounting chassis <NUM> creates an even surface for installation of the other modules (e.g., the base module <NUM> and the switch module <NUM>). Once the base module is connected to the electrical wall box via the mounting chassis <NUM>, the wall plate cover <NUM> can be coupled to the mounting chassis <NUM> and the light switch actuator <NUM> can be inserted through the switch module opening <NUM>. In particular embodiments, the wall plate cover can be coupled to the mounting chassis <NUM> and/or the tabs <NUM> of the base module via magnets. The magnets may be recessed within openings of a portion of the wall plate cover <NUM>. As noted, the base module <NUM> is configured to be coupled to a wall electrical box via connection tabs <NUM>. The base module <NUM> is further configured to be electrically coupled to a power source and to one or more light fixtures wired to the electrical box. Accordingly, the base module <NUM> provides an interface between a power source, the light switch actuator <NUM>, and one or more light fixtures. The base module includes a processor <NUM> and a circuit board <NUM> for managing the power supplied by the power source and routed to the one or more light fixtures in accordance with a light setting selection identified via the light switch actuator <NUM> or the tactile display <NUM>.

One or more of the processor on the printed circuit board 15038a or 138b <NUM> and the base module processor <NUM> may include wireless links for communication with one or more remote electronic device such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, another mobile computing devices, one or more other lighting control devices <NUM> or other electronic devices operating in a location. In certain implementations the wireless links permit communication with one or more devices including, but not limited to smart light bulbs, thermostats, garage door openers, door locks, remote controls, televisions, security systems, security cameras, smoke detectors, video game consoles, robotic systems, or other communication enabled sensing and/or actuation devices or appliances. The wireless links may include BLUETOOTH classes, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth-low-energy, also known as BLE (BLE and BT classic are completely different protocols that just share the branding), <NUM>. <NUM>, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), an infrared channel or satellite band. The wireless links may also include any cellular network standards used to communicate among mobile devices, including, but not limited to, standards that qualify as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The network standards may qualify as one or more generation of mobile telecommunication standards by fulfilling a specification or standards such as the specifications maintained by International Telecommunication Union. The <NUM> standards, for example, may correspond to the International Mobile Telecommunications-<NUM> (IMT-<NUM>) specification, and the <NUM> standards may correspond to the International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced (IMT-Advanced) specification. Examples of cellular network standards include AMPS, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced, Mobile WiMAX, and WiMAX-Advanced. Cellular network standards may use various channel access methods e.g. FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, or SDMA. In some embodiments, different types of data may be transmitted via different links and standards. In other embodiments, the same types of data may be transmitted via different links and standards.

<FIG> shows the lighting control device <NUM> of <FIG> mounted on a wall <NUM>. As demonstrated in <FIG>, the base module <NUM> is not visible upon installation of the lighting control device <NUM> in view of the wall plate cover <NUM>. Because the wall plate cover <NUM> attaches to the base module <NUM>, the wall plate cover <NUM> appears to be floating on the wall <NUM>. The lighting control device <NUM> may be activated by a user <NUM> interacting with the outer actuation surface <NUM> and the tactile display <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate multi-switch configurations of multiple lighting control device. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a two switch and three switch embodiment respectively where the lighting control devices <NUM> and <NUM> each include a light switch actuator <NUM> as well as auxiliary switches <NUM> and <NUM>, as well as <NUM> and <NUM> base modules <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> illustrate a lighting control device transitioning through various lighting settings and a room having lighting fixtures controlled by the lighting control device.

In <FIG>, the lighting control device <NUM> is connected to a base module positioned behind the wall plate <NUM>. The lighting control device <NUM> includes a dynamic light switch actuator <NUM>, operable in a manner similar to the light switch actuator discussed in connection with <FIG>, and an auxiliary light switch actuator. As demonstrated in <FIG> by the unilluminated outer actuation surface <NUM> of the light switch actuator <NUM> is inactive and not energized. In response to a user <NUM> moving the actuation surface <NUM> of the light switch actuator <NUM>, the light switch actuator <NUM> begins to become energized, as shown in <FIG>. The energization or activation of the light switch actuator <NUM> is signaled by the power light indicator <NUM> and by full lighting setting icon <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> where the icon <NUM> is fully lit (rather than partially lit as in <FIG>), the light switch actuator <NUM> is fully energized. In this particular configuration, the primary lights <NUM> and <NUM> are illuminated at full power. <FIG> shows the transition between lighting settings. As demonstrated in <FIG>, this transition is facilitated via user <NUM> completing swiping gesture <NUM> across the tactile display <NUM> and along the actuation surface <NUM>. As the user completes the gesture <NUM>, the icon <NUM> is swiped from the tactile display <NUM> as the tactile display toggles to a new light setting shown in <FIG>. The new light setting shown in <FIG> is represented or identified by the dinner icon <NUM>. The new light setting shown in <FIG> has the light fixture <NUM> powered down and has caused lamp <NUM> and sconces <NUM> to become illuminated to change the lighting scene in the room. The change in the light setting causes a change in distribution of power to certain lighting fixture based on the selected lighting setting. The light switch actuator <NUM> may be pre-programmed with a plurality of lighting settings or may be configured with particular lighting settings as specified by the user <NUM>. A further swiping gesture <NUM> shown in <FIG> or a different gesture are used to transition from the lighting setting of <FIG> represented by icon <NUM> to a further lighting setting.

<FIG> provides a flow diagram of operations of a system for controlling a lighting control device. <FIG> illustrates control operations of a control system, such as processor <NUM> configured to control the lighting control device <NUM> or <NUM>. At <NUM>, the tactile display housed in the light switch actuator is activated by moving the light switch actuator, for example by moving the actuation surface of the light switch actuator. At <NUM>, the light fixtures electrically coupled to the light switch actuator via a base module are powered as the movement of the light switch actuator causes a contact component to move into a new position and thereby permit or cause an electrical flow path between a power source and the light fixture(s) to be closed. The tactile display housed in the light switch actuator is moved contemporaneously with the actuation surface. At <NUM>, a lighting setting selection request is received via the tactile display, for example by a particular motion or motions on the tactile display. The lighting setting selection request identifies a lighting setting from among a plurality of lighting settings. A user may swipe multiple times to toggle through the plurality of lighting settings or may conduct a specific motion that corresponds to a particular lighting setting including, but not limited to, a half swipe and tap to achieve a light intensity of all the connected light fixtures at half of their peak output. The lighting settings identify distinct power distribution schemes for one or more light fixtures connected to the light switch module. At <NUM>, a power distribution scheme is identified. At <NUM>, the identified power distribution scheme is transmitted, for example by the base module responding to control signals from the light switch actuator, to adjust one, some, or all of the lights based on the power distribution scheme corresponding to the lighting setting selected. The power distribution schemes or profiles may be stored in a memory device of the lighting control device. In certain embodiments, the power distribution schemes may be adjusted to account for other parameters such as ambient lighting from natural light or an unconnected source. In certain embodiments the power distribution schemes may be adjusted based on one or more other sensor parameters. In particular embodiments, the lighting setting may be adjusted by automation based on time of day, sensed parameters such as light, temperature, noise, or activation of other devices including, but not limited to, any electronic device described herein.

<FIG> shows a flow diagram of system for remotely operating a lighting control device. In particular embodiments, the lighting control device <NUM> or <NUM> may be operable from a remote device if the actuator switch is activated or energized. In such instances, the remote device may include one or more computer program applications, such as system <NUM>, operating on the device to communicate with and control the lighting control device. Accordingly, at <NUM>, the control system <NUM> initiates a connection module to generate a communication interface between a mobile electronic device and a light switch module. The connection module may cause the remote device to send one or more wireless transmission to the lighting control device via a communication protocol. At <NUM>, the control system <NUM> causes the remote device to generate a display of icons on a display device of the mobile electronic device to facilitate selection of a lighting setting. At <NUM>, the control system <NUM> receives a lighting setting selection based on the user selecting a particular icon. At <NUM>, a transmission module causes the lighting setting selected to be transmitted to the lighting control device so that the light switch module and/or the base module can cause the power distribution scheme corresponding to the lighting setting to be transmitted to the lighting fixtures. The tactile display of the lighting control device may be updated in concert with receipt of the lighting setting to display the icon selected on the mobile electronic device and corresponding to the lighting setting selected on the tactile device.

<FIG> illustrates a flow diagram of a system for remotely configuring operations of a lighting control device. The remote device may include devices including, but not limited to a mobile phone, a mobile computing device or a computing device remote from the light control device. At <NUM>, the mobile electronic device generates a communication interface with the light switch module. At <NUM> a light fixture identification module initiates a sensor based protocol to identify a parameter associated with one or more light fixtures connected to the light switch control module. At <NUM>, a display selection module causes a display of an icon to appear on a display device of the mobile electronic device. At <NUM>, a lighting setting configuration module allows a user to create a power distribution scheme or profile for the light fixtures identified based on the identified parameters and a user specified input related to light intensity. At <NUM>, a storage module is used to the store the power distribution scheme and associate a particular lighting setting icon with the power distribution scheme. At <NUM>, a transmission module transmits the power distribution scheme and the associated icon to the light switch control module.

<FIG> is a schematic of a lighting control system apparatus. The lighting control system apparatus includes a lighting control module <NUM>. The lighting control module <NUM> can be configured like the lighting control device <NUM> to include a switch module removably coupled to a base module. The lighting control module <NUM> is configured to adjust a lighting scene by causing a change in the power distribution scheme to one or more lighting fixtures of lighting circuit <NUM>. In connection with changing the power distribution scheme, the lighting control module <NUM> includes a detector circuit <NUM> for detecting one or more electrical parameters related to the lighting control module <NUM>. As discussed further herein, these electrical parameters may provide information related to the configuration of the lighting control module <NUM> and/or the configuration of one or more components connected to the lighting control module <NUM>. The lighting control module <NUM> also includes a power circuit <NUM> for regulating the power flow to and from the lighting control module <NUM>. The power circuit <NUM> and the detector circuit <NUM> are communicably coupled for bidirectional communication with one or more controllers <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may include a controller on the switch module which may communicate with the detector circuit and the power circuit through a separate controller positioned in the base module. The power circuit <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned in a base module and are connected to the lighting circuit <NUM>. The control of electricity from the power circuit <NUM> to the lighting circuit <NUM> is regulated (directly or indirectly) by the controller <NUM>. The power circuit <NUM> may include one or more transformers or power converters and may be configured for power isolation to maintain AC current flow from interacting with various DC components. The detector circuit may include one or more components configured to measure current, voltage, impedance or other electrical properties, signals, or data.

The power circuit <NUM> can be configured to adjust the signal supplied (input signal), which is related to the power supplied by it, to the lighting circuit <NUM>. For example, the power circuit <NUM> can comprise a tunable voltage source that can supply an input voltage signal with tunable voltage amplitude to the lighting circuit <NUM>. The input voltage signal can be an AC and/or a DC signal whose amplitude can be tuned by the power circuit <NUM>. In some implementations, the power circuit <NUM> can comprise a tunable current source that can supply an input current signal with varying current amplitude to the lighting circuit <NUM>. For example, the input current signal can be an alternating (AC) and/or direct (DC) whose amplitude can be varied by the power circuit <NUM>. In some implementation, the power circuit <NUM> can comprise both tunable voltage source and tunable current source. The power circuit <NUM> may be configured to supply an input voltage and/or current signal at discrete amplitudes. The power circuit <NUM> may be configured to increase/decrease the quantity of power supplied to the lighting circuit <NUM>, for example by increasing/decreasing the amplitude of the input voltage and/or current signal.

One or more properties of the input signal can be controlled by the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> and power circuit <NUM> can interact electronically by wire or wirelessly. The controller <NUM> can send a control signal to the power circuit <NUM> that may determine the properties of the input signals (voltage and/or current signals). For example, the control signal may contain data that includes an array of numerical values of amplitudes (and frequencies) of sinusoidal input signals. The power circuit <NUM> may set the amplitude and frequency of the input signals (voltage and/or current signals) based on the control signal.

The response of the lighting circuit <NUM> measured by the detector circuit <NUM> includes one or more of current, voltage and impedance. The response of the lighting circuit <NUM> may be represented by an analog signal, i.e., a signal that can continuously vary with time. In some implementations, the detector circuit <NUM> may include a voltage sensing circuit that can detect a voltage signal (e.g., voltage across the lighting circuit <NUM>). In some implementations the detector circuit <NUM> can include a current sensing circuit that can detect a current signal (e.g., the current flowing into the lighting circuit <NUM>). In some implementations, the detector circuit <NUM> can include an impedance sensing circuit that detects the impedance of the lighting circuit <NUM>.

The detector circuit <NUM> and power circuit <NUM> can interact by wire and/or wirelessly. The power circuit <NUM> can send a signal to the detector unit <NUM> based on which the detector circuit starts (or ends) detecting the response of the lighting circuit <NUM>. For example, the power circuit <NUM> may send a notification signal to the detector circuit <NUM> that indicates that the power circuit <NUM> is about to send an input signal (voltage and/or current signal) to the lighting circuit <NUM>. Based on the notification signal, the detection circuit <NUM> may begin detecting the response of the lighting circuit <NUM>. Additionally, or alternately, the power circuit <NUM> may send a notification signal to the detector circuit <NUM> that indicates that the detection circuit <NUM> may end detecting the response of the lighting circuit <NUM>.

The detector circuit <NUM> and the controller <NUM> can interact by wire and/or wirelessly. The detector circuit <NUM> sends a detector signal to the controller <NUM> that contains data that represents information related to the detected response (e.g., voltage, current, impedance etc.) of the lighting circuit <NUM>. As described before, the response of the lighting circuit <NUM> may be represented by an analog signal. In one implementation, the detector circuit <NUM> includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that can convert the analog response signal to a digital response signal. Converting the analog response signal to the digital response signal may involve sampling the analog response signal at certain times, for example, sampling periodically at a sampling frequency. For example, the analog response signal can be sampled at greater than <NUM> (more than <NUM> samples per second) or at greater than <NUM>. The sampled analog signal is rounded off to the nearest available digital value (sometimes referred to as "levels") of the ADC. The signal resolution of the ADC may depend on the range of analog signal that the ADC can detect (e.g., range of voltage/current values), and the number of available digital values. For example, the resolution of an <NUM>-bit ADC (<NUM> available digital values), having <NUM>. 12V (volts) range (e.g., from 0V to <NUM> V), will be <NUM> volts. This <NUM>-bit ADC may convert a sampled analog signal to the nearest <NUM>. 02V-multiple value. For example, a <NUM> V sampled analog signal may be converted to a <NUM> V signal. The time resolution of the ADC (e.g., the time resolution of the digital response signal) depends at the sampling frequency, i.e., the frequency at which the ADC samples the analog response signal. The sampling frequency of the ADC can be set to a value that is greater than twice the maximum frequency of the sampled analog signal (sometimes referred to Nyquist frequency).

In some implementations, the controller <NUM> can adjust the range of analog signals that the ADC in the detection circuit <NUM> can detect. The controller <NUM> can, for example, send a "reference" signal to the ADC that can determine the range of the ADC. For example, referring to the <NUM>-bit ADC example discussed before, the controller <NUM> may send a <NUM> V reference signal to the ADC. As a result, the range of the <NUM>-bit ADC may change to <NUM>. 56V (e.g., from 0V to <NUM> V). Changing the range of an ADC may also change the resolution of the ADC. For example, if the range of an <NUM>-bit ADC is changed from <NUM>. 12V to <NUM>. 56V by the controller <NUM>, the resolution of the <NUM>-bit ADC may change from <NUM>. 02V to <NUM>.

The detector signal (from the detector circuit <NUM> to the controller <NUM>) can include data that represents information about the digital response signal. The detector signal may also include the sampling times corresponding to the digital response signal. The controller <NUM><NUM>. makes a determination about one or more properties of the lighting circuit <NUM> based on the detector signal for one or more input signals. The controller <NUM> compares the detected response signals with response data of known circuits in a database. The known circuits may include lighting circuits with different types of light bulbs (e.g., incandescent, fluorescent, LED, halogen, high intensity discharge, magnetic low-voltage, electronic low-voltage), with different number of light bulbs, or a combination of both. The database also includes one or more input signal data that may be related the response data, i.e. the response data, for a known circuit, represents the response of the known circuit to an input signal (e.g., time-dependent signal) represented by the input data.

The input signal data of a known circuit in the database represent information about one or more properties of the input signals (voltage and/or current signals). For example, the input signal data can include information about the amplitude and frequency of a sinusoidal input signal. The response data of the known circuit contain information about one or more properties of the response (e.g., voltage, current, impedance etc.) signal of the known circuit corresponding to an input signal. For example, the response data may comprise an array of numerical values that represents the amplitude of the response signals (e.g., amplitude of voltage and/or current signals) as a function of time.

As described before, the controller <NUM> can send a control signal to the power circuit <NUM> that may determine the properties of the input signals (voltage and/or current signals) supplied by the power circuit <NUM> to lighting circuit <NUM>. In some implementations, the control signal may include input signal data (e.g., the amplitudes and frequencies of the input signals represented by the input signal data). The power circuit <NUM> may supply input signals to the lighting circuit <NUM> based on the received input signal data. The detector circuit <NUM> may detect the response of the lighting circuit <NUM> to the aforementioned input signals, and send the detected response signals (e.g., digital response signal from the ADC in the detector circuit <NUM>) to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may compare (e.g., by correlation) the detected response signals with the response data. Based on this comparison, the controller <NUM> may determine one or more properties of the lighting circuit <NUM>.

In one implementation, the power circuit <NUM> is configured to supply a small current input signal (configured leak electricity) that does not light up the bulbs in the lighting fixtures of the lighting circuit <NUM>. However, the small current input signal may be sufficient to detect a response signal or power draw from the lighting circuit <NUM>. In one implementation, the current input signal can be less than <NUM> milliamps, less than <NUM> milliamps, and/or less than <NUM> milliamps. The power circuit <NUM> may be configured to increase the power supplied by successive input signals. This can, for example, be achieved by successively increasing the amplitude of the voltage/current input signal.

The controller <NUM> is configured to select a dimming profile (e.g., forward phase, reverse phase, non-dimmable) of the bulb (whose type has been determined by the controller <NUM>) in the lighting circuit <NUM>. The dimming profiles of the various light bulb may be stored in the database of the controller <NUM>. Based on the diming profile, the controller may send a control signal to the power circuit <NUM> to change the power supplied to the lighting circuit based on data in the diming profile. The controller <NUM> may be configured to determine the wattage rating of the bulb in the lighting circuit <NUM>. The wattage can, for example, be determined by the power consumed by the lighting circuit <NUM>. The power consumed by the lighting circuit <NUM> may be determined by multiplying the detected digital voltage response with the detected digital current response of the lighting circuit <NUM>. Based on the wattage of the lighting circuit <NUM>, the controller may identify the company that manufactures the bulb in the lighting circuit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic of a lighting control module of <FIG>. The lighting control module <NUM> is depicted separated into a base lighting control module <NUM> and a switch module or switch controller <NUM>. As described herein, the switch module <NUM> may include a tactile interface and a switch actuator, such as the tactile display <NUM> and the light switch actuator <NUM> described herein. The switch module <NUM> can also house the controller <NUM>. The power circuit <NUM> may include a transformer <NUM>, a power isolator and DC converter <NUM>, and a dimmer, such as a TRIAC dimmer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the power circuit <NUM> may include a MOSFET dimmer. The detection circuit <NUM> may include a voltage and current sensor <NUM>. The power isolator separates the analog AC current from the low power or DC digital components in the base lighting control module <NUM> and the switch module <NUM>.

The base lighting control module <NUM> includes a ground terminal <NUM> for grounding various electrical components container in the module <NUM>. The base light control module <NUM> includes a neutral terminal <NUM> for connecting to a neutral wire, a line terminal <NUM>, and a load terminal <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the voltage and current sensor(s) are coupled to the load line to detect changes in the voltage or current along the line carrying power to one or more light fixtures <NUM> connected to the lighting circuit (<NUM>). The base lighting control module <NUM> also includes a controller <NUM> communicably coupled to the controller <NUM>. The base lighting control module <NUM> also includes LED indicator lights <NUM> and <NUM> for indicating information regarding the status of the base lighting control module <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments LED indicator light <NUM> can indicates if a neutral wire is connected while LED indicator light <NUM> can indicate if a <NUM>-way connection is connected.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a system for measuring power for a lighting control system. A system <NUM> may be implemented via a device such as the lighting control module <NUM> and may be initiated directly on the device or from a remote computing device. At <NUM>, the system <NUM> causes the lighting control module <NUM> to transmit electricity, an input signal, to a light circuit (such as circuit <NUM> or a light circuit including light fixture(s) <NUM>). The quantity of electricity transmitted may be configured so that substantially no visible illumination of a light bulb connected to the light fixture <NUM> is caused. In particular embodiments the current may be below one or more of <NUM> milliamps, <NUM> milliamps, and <NUM> milliamps. The amount of electrical energy transmitted may be determined via a test protocol. In some embodiments, the quantity of electricity transmitted may be at full power (e.g. with a fully closed circuit and no dimming). The controller <NUM> (directly or pursuant to commands from controller <NUM>) can cause the transformer <NUM> to release power to a light circuit connected to the load terminal <NUM>. At <NUM>, a response of the light circuit to the transmission of the electricity is detected via a line <NUM> connected to the load terminal <NUM> and via one or more of a current and/or voltage sensor <NUM>. At <NUM> the actual or detected output/response of the light circuit detected by the current/voltage sensor <NUM> is correlated with the input signal to determine a bulb type. The lighting control module is configured to transmit power and decrease the quantity of electrical energy to zero substantially instantaneously (e.g. on the order of less than a second) and the detector circuit is used to measure the response on the line connected to the lighting circuit. For example, certain types of bulb continue trying to draw power after being turned off. Accordingly, if the power is turned off abruptly and the current sensor detects that the bulb is still trying to draw current this provides an indication of what type of bulb is connected to the lighting circuit. The correlation may be based on output values stored in a lookup table accessible by one or more of controller <NUM> and <NUM>, which may be housed in the lighting control module <NUM>. The expected output may be an expected power. The measured power can be determined based on the combination of a current measurement and a voltage measurement on the line <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the system <NUM> may also be used to determine whether a bulb connected to the light fixture has burned out. In such embodiments, at <NUM>, an analysis is made via the detection circuit of changes in the steady state status of the load on the line <NUM>. If there is a change in the current under steady state operation, at <NUM> a bulb burnout indicator can be transmitted, for example to a remote computing device.

The switch controller may identify the number of bulbs on a circuit by utilizing signal processing of the current sensor's data from the lighting control module. As every light bulb is slightly different and therefore responds to an identical load slightly but measurably different, the collective response read by the switch's current sensor is able to be differentiated by separating out the various waveforms of each bulb. Signal processing may be handled locally on the switch controller or remotely by uploading the raw data to a cloud service in which separate computational tools are utilized. System models may be developed or learned prior to signal processing. These models are then used to separate signals to distinguish between numbers of bulbs.

Implementations of the subject matter and the operations described in this specification can be implemented by digital electronic circuitry, or via computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on computer storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.

Moreover, while a computer storage medium is not a propagated signal, a computer storage medium can be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagated signal.

The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., a FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

Devices suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's user device in response to requests received from the web browser.

Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., a user computer having a graphical display or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described in this specification, or any combination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front end components.

The computing system can include users and servers. A user and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of user and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a user-server relationship to each other. In some implementations, a server transmits data (e.g., an HTML page) to a user device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receiving user input from a user interacting with the user device). Data generated at the user device (e.g., a result of the user interaction) can be received from the user device at the server.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term "coupled" means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary implementations, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. It is recognized that features of the disclosed implementations can be incorporated into other disclosed implementations.

While various inventive implementations have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive implementations described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing implementations are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims inventive implementations may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive implementations of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.

Also, the technology described herein may be embodied as a method, of which at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, implementations may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative implementations.

Claim 1:
A lighting control system bulb detection apparatus for determining a bulb type, the apparatus comprising:
a lighting control module (<NUM>) configured to cause a transmission of a quantity of electrical energy to a lighting circuit (<NUM>) electrically connectable to the lighting control module (<NUM>);
a detector circuit (<NUM>) positioned in the lighting control module (<NUM>), the detector circuit (<NUM>) configured to measure a response of the lighting circuit (<NUM>) to the transmission of the quantity of electrical energy; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to receive a detector signal from the detector circuit (<NUM>) containing data representing information related to the measured response of the lighting circuit, the controller (<NUM>) configured to correlate the quantity of electrical energy transmitted to the lighting circuit (<NUM>) to the measured response of the lighting circuit (<NUM>) and to determine a bulb type of a bulb in the lighting circuit by comparing the correlation,
of the quantity of electrical energy and the measured response, to a plurality of correlations stored for a plurality of bulb types;
characterized in that
the controller (<NUM>) is further configured to select a dimming profile from a plurality of dimming profiles stored in a database of the controller (<NUM>) based on the determined bulb type and to send a control signal to a power circuit (<NUM>) of the lighting control module to change a power supplied to the lighting circuit (<NUM>) based on data in the selected dimming profile and
in that
the controller is further configured to compare the information of the detector signal related to the measured response of the lighting circuit with response data of a plurality of known circuits in a further database, wherein the response data contains information about a response to the transmission of electrical energy for each of the known circuits, wherein the measured response is at least one of current, voltage or impedance; and to identify a bulb manufacturer of the bulb in the lighting circuit based on the measured current response following a rapid decrease in voltage.