Patent ID: 12249083

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a simple diagram of an example load control system100for controlling the amount of power delivered from an alternating-current (AC) power source (not shown) to one or more electrical loads. The load control system100may be installed in a room102of a building. The load control system100may comprise a plurality of control devices configured to communicate with each other via wireless signals, e.g., radio-frequency (RF) signals108. Alternatively or additionally, the load control system100may comprise a wired digital communication link coupled to one or more of the control devices to provide for communication between the load control devices. The control devices of the load control system100may comprise a number of control-source devices (e.g., input devices operable to transmit digital messages in response to user inputs, occupancy/vacancy conditions, changes in measured light intensity, etc.) and a number of control-target devices (e.g., load control devices operable to receive digital messages and control respective electrical loads in response to the received digital messages). A single control device of the load control system100may operate as both a control-source and a control-target device.

The control-source devices may be configured to transmit digital messages directly to the control-target devices. In addition, the load control system100may comprise a system controller110(e.g., a central processor or load controller) operable to communicate digital messages to and from the control devices (e.g., the control-source devices and/or the control-target devices). For example, the system controller110may be configured to receive digital messages from the control-source devices and transmit digital messages to the control-target devices in response to the digital messages received from the control-source devices. The control-source and control-target devices and the system controller110may be configured to transmit and receive the RF signals108using a proprietary RF protocol, such as the ClearConnect® protocol. The RF signals108may also be transmitted using other RF protocols, such as, a standard protocol, for example, one of WIFI, ZIGBEE, Z-WAVE, KNX-RF, ENOCEAN RADIO protocols, or a different proprietary protocol.

The load control system100may comprise one or more load control devices, e.g., a dimmer switch120for controlling a lighting load122. The dimmer switch120may be adapted to be wall-mounted in a standard electrical wallbox. The dimmer switch120may comprise a tabletop or plug-in load control device. The dimmer switch120may comprise a toggle actuator (e.g., a button) and an intensity adjustment actuator (e.g., a rocker switch). Actuations (e.g., successive actuations) of the toggle actuator may toggle (e.g., turn off and on) the lighting load122. Actuations of an upper portion or a lower portion of the intensity adjustment actuator may respectively increase or decrease the amount of power delivered to the lighting load122and thus increase or decrease the intensity of the receptive lighting load from a minimum intensity (e.g., approximately 1%) to a maximum intensity (e.g., approximately 100%). The dimmer switch120may comprise a plurality of visual indicators, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which may be arranged in a linear array and are illuminated to provide feedback of the intensity of the lighting load122. Examples of wall-mounted dimmer switches are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919, issued Sep. 28, 1993, entitled LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,676,696, issued Jun. 13, 2017, entitled WIRELESS LOAD CONTROL DEVICE, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The dimmer switch120may be configured to wirelessly receive digital messages via the RF signals108(e.g., from the system controller110) and to control the lighting load122in response to the received digital messages. Examples of dimmer switches operable to transmit and receive digital messages is described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0206983, published Aug. 20, 2009, entitled COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR A RADIO-FREQUENCY LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system100may comprise one or more remotely-located load control devices, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) driver130for driving an LED light source132(e.g., an LED light engine). The LED driver130may be located remotely, for example, in or adjacent to the lighting fixture of the LED light source132. The LED driver130may be configured to receive digital messages via the RF signals108(e.g., from the system controller110) and to control the LED light source132in response to the received digital messages. The LED driver130may be configured to adjust the color temperature of the LED light source132in response to the received digital messages. Examples of LED drivers configured to control the color temperature of LED light sources are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,538,603, issued Jan. 3, 2017, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING COLOR TEMPERATURE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The load control system100may further comprise other types of remotely-located load control devices, such as, for example, electronic dimming ballasts for driving fluorescent lamps.

The load control system100may comprise one or more daylight control devices, e.g., motorized window treatments150, such as motorized cellular shades, for controlling the amount of daylight entering the room102. Each motorized window treatments150may comprise a window treatment fabric152hanging from a headrail154in front of a respective window104. Each motorized window treatment150may further comprise a motor drive unit (not shown) located inside of the headrail154for raising and lowering the window treatment fabric152for controlling the amount of daylight entering the room102. The motor drive units of the motorized window treatments150may be configured to receive digital messages via the RF signals108(e.g., from the system controller110) and adjust the position of the respective window treatment fabric152in response to the received digital messages. The load control system100may comprise other types of daylight control devices, such as, for example, a cellular shade, a drapery, a Roman shade, a Venetian blind, a Persian blind, a pleated blind, a tensioned roller shade system, an electrochromic or smart window, and/or other suitable daylight control device. Examples of battery-powered motorized window treatments are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,461, issued Feb. 10, 2015, entitled MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,488,000, issued Nov. 8, 2016, entitled INTEGRATED ACCESSIBLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FOR MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system100may comprise one or more temperature control devices, e.g., a thermostat160for controlling a room temperature in the room102. The thermostat160may be coupled to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system162via a control link (e.g., an analog control link or a wired digital communication link). The thermostat160may be configured to wirelessly communicate digital messages with a controller of the HVAC system162. The thermostat160may comprise a temperature sensor for measuring the room temperature of the room102and may control the HVAC system162to adjust the temperature in the room to a setpoint temperature. The load control system100may comprise one or more wireless temperature sensors (not shown) located in the room102for measuring the room temperatures. The HVAC system162may be configured to turn a compressor on and off for cooling the room102and to turn a heating source on and off for heating the rooms in response to the control signals received from the thermostat160. The HVAC system162may be configured to turn a fan of the HVAC system on and off in response to the control signals received from the thermostat160. The thermostat160and/or the HVAC system162may be configured to control one or more controllable dampers to control the air flow in the room102. The thermostat160may be configured to receive digital messages via the RF signals108(e.g., from the system controller110) and adjust heating, ventilation, and cooling in response to the received digital messages.

The load control system100may comprise one or more other types of load control devices, such as, for example, a screw-in luminaire including a dimmer circuit and an incandescent or halogen lamp; a screw-in luminaire including a ballast and a compact fluorescent lamp; a screw-in luminaire including an LED driver and an LED light source; an electronic switch, controllable circuit breaker, or other switching device for turning an appliance on and off; a plug-in load control device, controllable electrical receptacle, or controllable power strip for controlling one or more plug-in loads; a motor control unit for controlling a motor load, such as a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan; a drive unit for controlling a motorized window treatment or a projection screen; motorized interior or exterior shutters; a thermostat for a heating and/or cooling system; a temperature control device for controlling a setpoint temperature of an HVAC system; an air conditioner; a compressor; an electric baseboard heater controller; a controllable damper; a variable air volume controller; a fresh air intake controller; a ventilation controller; a hydraulic valves for use radiators and radiant heating system; a humidity control unit; a humidifier; a dehumidifier; a water heater; a boiler controller; a pool pump; a refrigerator; a freezer; a television or computer monitor; a video camera; an audio system or amplifier; an elevator; a power supply; a generator; an electric charger, such as an electric vehicle charger; and an alternative energy controller.

The load control system100may comprise one or more input devices, e.g., such as a remote control device170, an occupancy sensor180, or an occupant counting device (e.g., an occupant counting sensor190). The input devices may be fixed or movable input devices. The system controller110may be configured to transmit one or more digital messages to the load control devices (e.g., the dimmer switch120, the LED driver130, the motorized window treatments150, and/or the thermostat160) in response to the digital messages received from the remote control device170, the occupancy sensor180, and/or the occupant counting sensor190. The remote control device170, the occupancy sensor180and/or the occupant counting sensor190may be configured to transmit digital messages directly to the system controller110, the dimmer switch120, the LED driver130, the motorized window treatments150, and/or the thermostat160.

The remote control device170may be configured to transmit digital messages via the RF signals108to the system controller110(e.g., directly to the system controller) in response to an actuation of one or more buttons of the remote control device. For example, the remote control device170may be battery-powered.

The occupancy sensor180may be configured to detect occupancy and vacancy conditions in the room102. The occupancy sensor180may be an infrared sensor (e.g., a passive infrared sensor). The occupancy sensors180may be removably mountable to a ceiling or a wall. Although only one occupancy sensor is shown inFIG.1, a skilled person in the art would recognize that the load control system100may include more than one occupancy sensor spaced apart to detect occupancy conditions in different areas of the room102. The occupancy sensor180may include an internal detector such as a pyroelectric infrared (PIR) detector, an ultrasonic detector, a microwave detector, or any combination of thereof. For example, the internal PIR detector may be housed in an enclosure comprising a lens (e.g., an outwardly domed lens) provided in a front surface of the enclosure. The internal PIR detector may be operable to receive energy (e.g., infrared energy) emitted from an occupant in the space via the lens to thus sense the occupancy condition in the space. The occupancy sensor180may be operable to process the output of the PIR detector to determine whether an occupancy condition or a vacancy condition is presently occurring in room102, for example, by comparing the output of the internal detector to a predetermined occupancy voltage threshold.

The occupancy sensor180may transmit digital messages to the system controller110via the RF signals108(e.g., using the proprietary protocol described herein) in response to detecting the occupancy or vacancy conditions. The system controller110may be configured to transmit commands to the respective load control devices to turn the respective lighting loads (e.g., lighting load122and/or the LED light source132) on or off in response to receiving an occupied command or a vacant command, respectively. The system controller110may be configured to adjust (e.g., correct inaccuracies of) an occupant count submitted by the occupant counting sensor190based on the occupancy or vacancy conditions detected by the occupancy sensor180(e.g., as will be described in greater detail below). Examples of RF load control systems having occupancy and vacancy sensors are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011 Sep. 3, 2008, entitled RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM WITH OCCUPANCY SENSING; U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issued Jun. 12, 2012, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A WIRELESS SENSOR; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,228,184, issued Jul. 24, 2012, entitled BATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCY SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The occupancy sensor180may additionally or alternatively comprise a visible light sensing circuit, such as a camera and/or an image processing circuit. The camera may be directed into the room102and may be configured to record images of the room102. The occupancy sensor180may be configured to detect occupancy and vacancy conditions using the recorded images of the image. Examples of sensors comprising visible light sensing circuits are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U. S Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0171941, published Jun. 15, 2017, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168019, published Jun. 14, 2018, both entitled LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING A VISIBLE LIGHT SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system100may comprise other types of input devices, such as, for example, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, radiometers, cloudy-day sensors, shadow sensors, pressure sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, carbon dioxide detectors, air-quality sensors, motion sensors, security sensors, proximity sensors, fixture sensors, partition sensors, keypads, multi-zone control units, slider control units, kinetic or solar-powered remote controls, key fobs, cell phones, smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants, personal computers, laptops, timeclocks, audio-visual controls, safety devices, power monitoring devices (e.g., such as power meters, energy meters, utility submeters, utility rate meters, etc.), central control transmitters, residential, commercial, or industrial controllers, and/or any combination thereof.

The system controller110may be coupled to a network, such as a wireless or wired local area network (LAN), e.g., for access to the Internet. The system controller110may be wirelessly connected to the network, e.g., using Wi-Fi technology. The system controller110may be coupled to the network via a network communication bus (e.g., an Ethernet communication link). The system controller110may be configured to communicate via the network with one or more network devices, e.g., a mobile device140, such as, a personal computing device and/or a wearable wireless device. The mobile device140may be located on an occupant142(e.g., may be attached to the occupant's body or clothing or may be held by the occupant). The mobile device140may be characterized by a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number or address stored in memory) that uniquely identifies the mobile device140and thus the occupant142. Examples of personal computing devices may include a smart phone (for example, an iPhone® smart phone, an Android® smart phone, or a Blackberry® smart phone), a laptop, and/or a tablet device (for example, an iPad© handheld computing device). Examples of wearable wireless devices may include an activity tracking device (such as a FitBit® device, a Misfit® device, and/or a Sony Smartband® device), a smart watch, smart clothing (e.g., OMsignal® smartwear, etc.), and/or smart glasses (such as Google Glass® eyewear). In addition, the system controller110may be configured to communicate via the network with one or more other control systems (e.g., a building management system, a security system, etc.).

The mobile device140may be configured to transmit digital messages to the system controller110, for example, in one or more Internet Protocol packets. For example, the mobile device140may be configured to transmit digital messages to the system controller110over the LAN and/or via the internet. The mobile device140may be configured to transmit digital messages over the internet to an external service (e.g., If This Then That (IFTTT®) service), and then the digital messages may be received by the system controller110. The mobile device140may transmit and receive RF signals109via a Wi-Fi communication link, a Wi-MAX communications link, a Bluetooth communications link, a near field communication (NFC) link, a cellular communications link, a television white space (TVWS) communication link, or any combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device190may be configured to transmit RF signals according to the proprietary protocol. The load control system100may comprise other types of network devices coupled to the network, such as a desktop personal computer, a Wi-Fi or wireless-communication-capable television, or any other suitable Internet-Protocol-enabled device. Examples of load control systems operable to communicate with mobile and/or network devices on a network are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0030589, published Jan. 31, 2013, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The system controller110may be configured to determine the location of the mobile device140and/or the occupant142. The system controller110may be configured to control (e.g., automatically control) the load control devices (e.g., the dimmer switch120, the LED driver130, the motorized window treatments150, and/or the temperature control device160) in response to determining the location of the mobile device140and/or the occupant142. One or more of the control devices of the load control system100may transmit beacon signals, for example, RF beacon signals transmitted using a short-range and/or low-power RF technology, such as Bluetooth technology. The load control system100may also comprise at least one beacon transmitting device144for transmitting the beacon signals. The mobile device140may be configured to receive a beacon signal when located near a control device that is presently transmitting the beacon signal. A beacon signal may comprise a unique identifier identifying the location of the load control device that transmitted the beacon signal. Since the beacon signal may be transmitted using a short-range and/or low-power technology, the unique identifier may indicate the approximate location of the mobile device140. The mobile device140may be configured to transmit the unique identifier to the system controller110, which may be configured to determine the location of the mobile device140using the unique identifier (e.g., using data stored in memory or retrieved via the Internet). An example of a load control system for controlling one or more electrical loads in response to the position of a mobile device and/or occupant inside of a building is described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0056629, published Feb. 25, 2016, entitled LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM RESPONSIVE TO LOCATION OF AN OCCUPANT AND MOBILE DEVICES, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The operation of the load control system100may be programmed and configured using, for example, the mobile device140or other network device (e.g., when the mobile device is a personal computing device). The mobile device140may execute a graphical user interface (GUI) configuration software for allowing a user to program how the load control system100will operate. For example, the configuration software may run as a PC application or a web interface. The configuration software and/or the system controller110(e.g., via instructions from the configuration software) may generate a load control database that defines the operation of the load control system100. For example, the load control database may include information regarding the operational settings of different load control devices of the load control system (e.g., the dimmer switch120, the LED driver130, the motorized window treatments150, and/or the thermostat160). The load control database may comprise information regarding associations between the load control devices and the input devices (e.g., the remote control device170, the occupancy sensor180, the occupant counting sensor190, etc.). The load control database may comprise information regarding how the load control devices respond to inputs received from the input devices. Examples of configuration procedures for load control systems are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,391,297, issued Jun. 24, 2008, entitled HANDHELD PROGRAMMER FOR A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0092075, published Apr. 17, 2008, entitled METHOD OF BUILDING A DATABASE OF A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0265568, published Sep. 18, 2014, entitled COMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The occupant counting sensor190may be capable of detecting when a person enters or exits the room102. The occupant counting sensor190may comprise a plurality of PIR elements (e.g., two PIR detectors). These elements may comprise pyroelectric materials that are sensitive to heat (e.g., infrared radiation). The elements may be arranged in anti-series connection such that the responses (e.g., output voltages) of the individual PIR elements to heat-emitting bodies (e.g., people entering or exiting the room102) are opposite in polarity, e.g., to cancel out spurious noise. Additionally, the anti-series connection makes it possible to identify which individual PIR element produces a response first (e.g., detect a change in infrared energy first). Such characteristics of the PIR elements may be utilized to determine the direction of motion associated with a person and in turn to determine whether the person has entered or exited room102. For example, when a person enters room102, his/her movement may be detected as motion in one direction. When the person exits the room, his/her motion may be determined to be in an opposite direction. Based on the motion (and the entry/exit status of the person derived therefrom), the occupant counting sensor190may be configured to determine an occupant count and/or a change in the occupant count of the room102by increasing the occupant count when a person enters the room and decreasing the occupant count when a person leaves the room.

The occupant counting sensor190may be mounted and oriented to detect an energy (e.g., IR energy) emitting body moving through the doorway. As shown inFIG.1, the occupant counting sensor190may be mounted above a corner (e.g., an upper corner) of a doorway106to room102, although other places of installation are also possible. For example, the occupant counting sensor190may be mounted to a lower corner of the doorway106, to a middle side of the doorway, to the left side or the right side of the doorway, and/or to the inside or outside of the doorway. In addition, the occupant counting sensor190may be mounted to a door frame around the door, inside of the door frame, and/or otherwise mounted to the structure surrounding the door to appropriately detecting an occupant moving through the doorway106. In addition, multiple occupant counting sensors may be mounted to various locations on the doorway106to improve the accuracy of the detection of people entering or exiting the room102.

The occupant counting sensor190may comprise a focusing device, such as a lens (e.g., a Fresnel lens), that may be configured to focus the IR energy from the occupant onto the PIR elements. The lens may serve multiple purposes including, for example, enhancing the accuracy of motion detection of the occupant counting sensor190and/or extending its range of detection. For example, a Fresnel lens may capture more IR radiation and focus it onto a small point (e.g., inside of the occupant counting sensor190at the PIR elements), thus extending the range of detection of the occupant counting sensor190. This focal point may move across the PIR elements of the occupant counting sensor190as the IR source moves and may expose one set of PIR elements of the occupant counting sensor190to the focal point at a time, triggering the generation of patterned output signals as described herein.

As shown inFIG.1, a first one of the PIR elements of the occupant counting sensor190may detect movement in a first area192and a second one of the PIR elements may detect movement in a second area194. For example, occupant counting sensor190may be positioned and/or oriented such that the first and second areas192,194cross the chest of the occupant as the occupant is entering and/or exiting the room102through the doorway106. As an occupant is moving into the room, the first one of the PIR elements may detect movement in the first area192before the second one of the PIR elements detects movement in the second area194. The output signals generated by the PIR elements may indicate motion in a specific direction. For example, if the output includes a positive peak followed by a negative peak, the occupant counting sensor190may determine that a person has entered room102. If the output includes a negative peak followed by a positive peak, the occupant counting sensor190may determine that a person has left room102. It should be noted that the respective patterns that correspond the entry/exit determinations may vary based on the orientation of installation of the occupant counting sensor.

The occupant counting sensor190may comprise a switch (not shown) that may be manipulated to inform the occupant counting sensor190about the orientation of the installation (e.g., whether the occupant counting sensor is mounted to left or right side of the doorway106and/or inside or outside of the doorway). Based on the orientation, the occupant counting sensor190may know which specific output signal pattern corresponds to which direction of movement. For example, when the occupant counting sensor190is installed with a first orientation, the sensor may associate a positive-negative peak signal pattern with a person entering room102. When the occupant counting sensor190is installed with a second orientation, the sensor may associate the positive-negative peak signal pattern with a person leaving room102.

The occupant counting sensor190may comprise other types of detection circuits. For example, the occupant counting sensor190may comprise a thermopile array such as an N×N array of heat-responsive elements configured to generate a two-dimensional thermal image of an coverage area of the room102. The occupant counting sensor190may comprise a radar sensing device that utilizes a transmitting antenna array (e.g., a phased array) and/or a receiving antenna array (e.g., a phased array) to record radar images of the entry location. The occupant counting sensor190may comprise a visible light sensing device that utilizes a camera directed to an entry location of the room102to record images of the entry location. The occupant counting sensor190may comprise a time-of-flight sensing circuit capable of providing a three-dimensional image of an area of the room102. The images generated by these detection circuits may be processed to determine the location and/or movement of an occupant in an area of the room102in order to determine whether the occupant has entered or exited the room102. For example, using a heat map (e.g., a 2D thermal image) generated by a thermopile array, a control circuit of the occupant counting sensor190may track the movements of an occupant through multiple zones of a coverage area (e.g., near a doorway) so that the control circuit may determine, based on the pattern and/or direction of the movements, whether the occupant is entering or leaving the room102. Examples of image-based detection circuits will be described in greater detail below.

The occupant counting sensor190may transmit one or more digital messages to the system controller110via the RF signals108(e.g., using the proprietary protocol described herein) in response to determining an occupant count of the room102or detecting a change in the occupant count. The digital messages may indicate the occupant count or a change thereof. For example, the occupant counting sensor190may be a one-way transmitter (e.g., may not be configured to receive digital messages), and may be configured to transmit (e.g., periodically transmit) a sensor occupant count that indicates the changes in the occupant count since the last transmission from the occupant counting sensor190. The occupant counting sensor190may be configured to reset the occupant count stored in memory at the occupant counting sensor after the occupant counting sensor transmits the change in occupant count. For example, the sensor occupant count may be either positive or negative based on how many occupants enter or exit the room102since the last reset of the occupant count. The system controller110may be configured to maintain the occupant count for the room102(e.g., a room occupant count). For example, the system controller110may add the sensor occupant count (e.g., that indicates the changes in the occupant count detected by that particular occupant counting sensor) to the room occupant count each time that the system controller110receives the sensor occupant count from the occupant counting sensor190.

Based on the room occupant count, the system controller110may be further configured to determine an occupancy condition and/or a vacancy condition of the room. For example, when the room occupant count is greater than zero, the system controller110may determine that the room102is occupied, and when the room occupant count reaches zero, the system controller110may determine that the room102is vacant.

The system controller110may be configured to process the digital messages and take various actions based on the digital messages and/or other information gathered from the load control system100. For example, the system controller110may determine, based on the digital messages, that there is a mismatch between the room occupant count as determined from the sensor occupant count received in the digital messages and an occupancy condition reported by the occupancy sensor180. An example mismatch may occur, for instance, when the room occupant count of the room102as determined by the system controller110is greater than zero while the occupancy sensor180indicates that the room is unoccupied. The system controller110may be configured to resolve such a mismatch, for example, by resetting the room occupant count as maintained by the system controller to zero. In addition, if the system controller110determines, based on digital messages transmitted by the first and second occupant counting sensors, that the occupant count is less than zero, the system controller110may reset the occupant count for the room102to zero.

The system controller110may be configured to gather and/or store room occupant count data over time (e.g., for multiple time periods) and thus maintain a historical record (e.g., a historical view) of the occupancy status and/or occupant count of a room. The historical record may comprise multiple data points each corresponding to a room occupant during a specific time period. The system controller110may be further configured to correct the historical record of occupancy status and/or occupant count of the room102in response to resolving a mismatch between the room occupant count as determined from the sensor occupant count received in the digital messages and an occupancy condition reported by the occupancy sensor180. For example, if the room occupant count of the room102as determined by the system controller110is greater than zero while the occupancy sensor180indicates that the room is unoccupied, the system controller110may reset the room occupant count to zero and update the historical record of the occupancy status and/or occupant count of the room (e.g., reset one or more data points of the historical record corresponding to room occupant counts during various time periods to zero).

In examples, the system controller110may be configured to receive occupant count information from more than one occupant counting sensor associated with a room. For instance, in addition to the occupant counting sensor190, the load control system100inFIG.1may include one or more additional occupant counting sensors installed in the proximity of other doorway(s) of the room102. These additional occupant counting sensors may be configured to function similarly to the occupant counting sensor190, and may provide additional information for determining the number of occupants in the room102. For example, a first occupant counting sensor may be installed near an entrance to the room102and a second occupant counting sensor may be installed near an exit of the room. Both sensors may be capable of determining the number of people passing through the respective doorways during a time period and report the information to the system controller110.

The system controller110may be configured to receive messages transmitted by the first and second occupant counting sensors and aggregate the occupant counts (or change thereof) indicated in those messages. For example, if the first occupant counting sensor indicates that three people have entered the room102during the time period and the second occupant counting sensor indicates that two people have left the room102during that same time period, the system controller110may decide that the number of people occupying the room102is one.

As described above, the system controller110may be capable of resolving mismatches between information reported by the occupant counting sensors and information gathered from other devices in the load control system100. Using the example provided above, if the system controller110determines, based on digital messages transmitted by the first and second occupant counting sensors, that there is one occupant in the room102, and that, according to the occupancy sensor180, the room is unoccupied, the system controller110may reset the occupant count for the room102to zero.

The occupant counting sensor190may be a two-way wireless device and may be configured to both transmit and receive digital messages, e.g., to and from the system controller110. The occupant counting sensor190may be configured to maintain a room occupant count (e.g., in addition to or instead of determining a sensor occupant count). For example, the occupant counting sensor190may be configured to periodically transmit the room occupant count (e.g., that indicates the number of occupants presently in the room to the system controller110). When the occupant counting sensor190is configured to maintain the room occupant count, the system controller may resolve mismatches between information reported by the occupant counting sensors and information gathered from other devices in the load control system100. For example, if the system controller110determines that there is one occupant in room102, and that the room is unoccupied according to the occupancy sensor180, the system controller110may transmit a digital message to the occupant counting sensor190to reset the occupant count for room102to zero.

The occupant counting sensor190may be configured to perform some or all of the functions of the system controller110. For example, the occupant counting sensor190may be capable of receiving information (e.g., digital messages) from other occupant counting sensors and/or from the occupancy sensor180regarding an occupant count (or a change thereof) or an occupancy status of room102. The occupant counting sensor190may be configured to process the received information in conjunction with the occupant count determined by the occupant counting sensor190itself, and derive a cumulative count of the number of occupants in room102. Similar to the system controller110, the occupant counting sensor190may be capable of resolving mismatches among various pieces of information received or derived by the occupant counting sensor190.

FIG.2is an enlarged perspective view of an example occupant counting sensor200(e.g., the occupant counting sensor190ofFIG.1). The occupant counting sensor200may comprise an enclosure202for housing the electrical circuitry of the occupant counting sensor. The electrical circuitry of the occupant counting sensor200may comprise a plurality of PIR elements (e.g., two PIR elements) capable of detecting energy (e.g., IR energy) from an energy-emitting body (e.g., an occupant) in a space. The PIR elements may be arranged and/or oriented to detect movement of the energy-emitting body in front of the occupant counting sensor200(e.g., to detect a person entering or exiting a room).

The occupant counting sensor200may comprise a focusing device, such as a Fresnel lens204, configured to capture the energy of the energy-emitting body moving in front of the lens, and to focus the captured radiation onto a small point at the PIR elements, so as to enhance the range and/or accuracy of detection of the occupant counting sensor200. The occupant counting sensor200may be installed in the proximity of a doorway of a user space (e.g., the room102shown inFIG.1). For example, the occupant counting sensor200may be mounted at a corner (e.g., an upper corner) of a doorway and be oriented to face an opposite corner of the doorway. The orientation of the occupant counting sensor200may be indicated (e.g., signaled), for example, via an orientation actuator206of the occupant counting sensor. For example, setting the orientation actuator206to a first position may indicate to the occupant counting sensor200that the Fresnel lens204is installed in an upper left corner of the doorway (e.g., on the inside of the doorway) and pointing in a lower right direction while setting the orientation actuator206to a second position may indicate to the occupant counting sensor200that the Fresnel lens204is installed in an upper right corner of the doorway (e.g., on the inside of the doorway) and pointing in a lower left direction.

FIG.3Ais an example block diagram of an example occupant counting sensor300(e.g., the occupant counting sensor190ofFIG.1and/or the occupant counting sensor200ofFIG.2). The occupant counting sensor200may comprise a detection circuit310configured to detect an occupant in a space (e.g., entering and/or exiting the space). For example, the detection circuit310may comprise a pyroelectric infrared (PIR) detector circuit312and an amplifier circuit314. The PIR detection circuit312may include a plurality of PIR elements (e.g., two PIR elements) capable of detecting energy (e.g., JR energy) from an energy-emitting body (e.g., an occupant) in a space and generating a PIR voltage VPIR. The occupant counting sensor300may comprise a focusing device (e.g., the Fresnel lens204shown inFIG.2) configured to capture the energy of the energy-emitting body moving in front of the lens, and to focus the captured radiation onto the PIR elements of the PIR detector circuit312. The amplifier circuit314may be coupled to an output of the PIR detector circuit312to receive the PIR voltage VPIR. The amplifier circuit314may be configured to generate a detection voltage VDETECTthat may indicate movement of the energy-emitting body through a doorway (e.g., to detect an occupant entering or exiting a room).

The occupant counting sensor300may comprise a control circuit315configured to receive the detection voltage VDETECTfrom the detection circuit310for detecting occupants entering and exiting the room. The control circuit315may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any suitable processing device. The control circuit315may be configured to determine an occupant count of people that have entered or exited a room based on the detection voltage VDETECTgenerated by the detector circuit310.

Each PIR element of the PIR detector circuit312may be a pyroelectric element, which may produce changes in the voltages developed across the PIR element in response to changes in temperature and/or other environmental changes. The PIR elements of the PIR detector circuit312may be arranged in anti-series connections, such that changes in voltage across each of the PIR elements due to vibrations, changes in temperature, and/or other environmental changes will cancel each other out and not affect the magnitude of the PIR voltage VPIRat the output of the PIR detector circuit312. Due to the anti-series connection of the PIR elements, the PIR detector circuit312may generate responses (e.g., peaks and/or pulses) of opposite polarities when each of the individual PIR elements is exposed to IR energy. This may make it possible to identify which individual PIR element detects motion (e.g., a change in infrared energy) first. This characteristic of the PIR elements of the PIR detector circuit312may be utilized to determine the direction of movement of an occupant in front the occupant counting sensor300and in turn to determine whether the occupant has entered or exited a room. For example, if the detection voltage VDETECTgenerated by the detection circuit310includes a first peak magnitude of positive polarity followed by a second peak magnitude of negative polarity, the control circuit315may determine that an occupant has passed through the doorway in a first direction (e.g., to enter the room). If the detection voltage VDETECTgenerated by the detection circuit310includes a first peak magnitude of negative polarity followed by a second peak magnitude of positive polarity, the control circuit315may determine that an occupant has passed through the doorway in a second direction (e.g., to exit the room).

FIG.3Bshows example waveforms of the signals of the detection voltage VDETECTgenerated by the detection circuit310. The amplifier circuit314may add a DC offset to the PIR voltage VPIR, such that the detection voltage VDETECTis centered about a midpoint voltage, such as half of the supply voltage VCC(e.g., Vcc/2) as shown inFIG.3A. The detection circuit310may generate a signal (e.g., an enter signal or an exit signal) when one of the PIR elements of the PIR detector circuit312is exposed to a change in IR energy followed by the other one of the PIR elements being exposed to a change in IR energy. For example, as an IR radiating body moves across the occupant counting sensor, a first one of the PIR elements may be exposed to changes in IR energy caused by the body movement, and then a second one of the PIR elements may be exposed to the changes in IR energy. As a result, the output of the PIR detection circuit may exhibit a specific pattern corresponding to the body movement.

As shown inFIG.3B, a first signal (e.g., an enter signal) may be generated when an occupant enters the space monitored by the occupant counting sensor300. Such a first signal may reach a maximum peak (e.g., positive peak) magnitude VMAX1at a first point in time t1a(e.g., when the first one of the PIR elements is exposed to IR energy), and then reach a minimum peak (e.g., negative peak) magnitude VMIN1at a second point in time t2a(e.g., when the second one of the PIR elements is exposed to the IR energy). The same characteristics of the PIR elements may cause a second signal (e.g., an exit signal) to be generated when an occupant leaves the space monitored by the occupant counting sensor. As shown inFIG.3B, the second signal may reach a minimum peak (e.g., negative peak) magnitude at a first point in time t1b(e.g., when the second one of the PIR elements is exposed to IR energy), and then reach a maximum peak (e.g., positive peak) magnitude at a second point in time t2b(e.g., when the first one of the PIR elements is exposed to the IR energy).

The specific signals (e.g., signal pattern) that may be generated by the detector circuit310(e.g., the order of the maximum and minimum peaks of the signals of the detection voltage VDETECT) that correspond to an occupant entering or exiting a room may depend on the orientation of the occupant counting sensor300. For example, if the occupant counting sensor300is located adjacent to an upper right corner of the doorway inside of the room, a signal (e.g., an enter signal) having a maximum peak (e.g., positive peak) following by a minimum peak (e.g., negative peak) may indicate an occupant entering the room, while a signal (e.g., an enter signal) having a minimum peak following by a maximum peak may indicate an occupant exiting the room. If the occupant counting sensor300is located adjacent to an upper left corner of the doorway inside of the room, a signal (e.g., an enter signal) having a minimum peak following by a maximum peak may indicate an occupant entering the room, while a signal (e.g., an enter signal) having a minimum peak following by a maximum peak may indicate an occupant exiting the room.

The occupant counting sensor300may comprise an orientation switch316that may be responsive to an orientation actuator (e.g., the orientation actuator206of the occupant counting sensor200shown inFIG.2). The control circuit314may acquire information regarding the installation orientation of the occupant counting sensor300via the orientation switch316. For example, the orientation switch316may be set in response to an actuation of the orientation actuator during configuration of the occupant counting sensor300. For example, the control circuit315may be configured to map different output signal patterns of the PIR detector circuit310to determinations of an occupant entering or exiting the room. As explained herein, such patterns of the signals of the detection voltage VDETECTmay include a positive peak followed by a negative peak or a negative peak followed by a positive peak.

The control circuit315may maintain (e.g., determine and/or update) an occupant count for the room. In response to the detection of a motion, the control circuit315may take a plurality of samples of the detection voltage VDETECTreceived from the detection circuit310(e.g., within a sampling time period) and determine whether a mapped signal pattern can be identified. If the determination is that a mapped signal pattern has occurred, the control circuit315may increase or decrease the occupant count accordingly. If the occupant count is greater than zero, the control circuit315may additionally infer that the room is occupied. When the occupant count falls to zero, the control circuit315may additionally infer that the room has become unoccupied.

The control circuit315may be configured to store the occupant count and/or occupancy status in a memory318of the occupant counting sensor300. The memory318may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the control circuit315or as an internal circuit of the control circuit315. The control circuit315may be configured to save different occupant counts that are associated with different time periods in the memory318so that a historical view of the occupancy condition of the room (e.g., a usage history) may be derived.

The occupant counting sensor300may comprise a communication circuit320configured to transmit and/or receive digital messages via a communication link using a communication protocol. For example, the communication link may comprise a wireless communication link and the communication circuit320may comprise an RF transceiver coupled to an antenna. The communication link may comprise a wired digital communication link and the communication circuit320may comprise a wired communication circuit. The communication protocol may comprise a proprietary protocol, such as, for example, the ClearConnect protocol. The control circuit315may be configured to transmit and/or receive digital messages via the communication link during normal operation of the occupant counting sensor300. For example, the control circuit315may be configured to transmit an indication of a determined occupant count (or a change thereof) of the room to a system controller (e.g., the system controller110ofFIG.1). The control circuit315may also be able to receive an indication of an occupant count (or a change thereof) of the room determined by another occupant counting sensor (e.g., an occupant counting sensor installed at a different doorway of the room). In the latter case, the occupant counting sensor300may perform some or all of the functions of a system controller, as described herein.

The occupant counting sensor300may comprise a power source322for producing a DC supply voltage VCCfor powering the control circuit315, the memory318, the communication circuit320and other low-voltage circuitry of the occupant counting sensor300. The power source322may comprise a power supply configured to receive an external supply voltage from an external power source (e.g., an AC mains line voltage power source and/or an external DC power supply). In addition, the power source322may comprise a battery for powering the circuitry of the occupant counting sensor300.

FIG.4is a simplified flowchart of an example occupant counting procedure400. The occupant counting procedure400may be executed (e.g., periodically) by a control circuit of an occupant counting sensor (e.g., the control circuit315of the occupant counting sensor300) at410. At412, the control circuit may determine, e.g., based on a detection signal generated by a detection circuit (e.g., the detection circuit310) if motion has been detected in the proximity of the occupant counting sensor (e.g., if either of the PIR elements has detected a change in IR energy). For example, the control circuit may compare the magnitude of the detection signal to a motion threshold to determine if motion has been detected at412. If a motion has been detected at412(e.g., the magnitude of the detection signal is greater than the motion threshold), the control circuit may, at414, start to sample the output of the detection circuit for a period of time and/or until a number of samples (e.g., N samples of output voltage) have been collected/stored. The duration of this sampling period and/or the number of samples to be collected may be preconfigured and stored in a memory of the occupant counting sensor.

At416, the control circuit may determine (e.g., identify) the maximum magnitude (e.g., a peak voltage with positive polarity) and minimum magnitude (e.g., a peak voltage with negative polarity) of the collected samples. Based on the maximum and minimum magnitudes of the sample signals, the control circuit may determine, at418, whether the collected samples represent a valid signal generated in response to an occupant entering or exiting a space monitored by the occupant counting sensor. The control circuit may make this determination by checking whether the maximum and minimum magnitudes of the samples are of opposite polarities and/or whether the respective absolute values of the maximum and minimum magnitudes exceed respective maximum and minimum thresholds (e.g., preconfigured thresholds VTH-MAXand VTH-MINas shown inFIG.3B). The absolute values of the thresholds VTH-MAXand VTH-MINmay be the same or may be different from each other. A continuous output signal such as that generated in response to an occupant stopped in the doorway and/or a continuous stream of people coming through a doorway on which the sensor is installed (e.g., a congo line) may not demonstrate the aforementioned pattern and therefore may not produce a response from the control circuit.

If the control circuit determines that the collected samples represent a valid signal associated with an occupant entering or exiting the space (e.g., the maximum and minimum magnitudes of the samples are of opposite polarities (e.g., bipolar) and the absolute values of the maximum and minimum magnitudes exceed those of the respective thresholds), the control circuit may further determine, at420, whether the pattern reflected in the collected samples corresponds to an occupant entering the space or exiting the space. As described herein, the respective patterns associated with an occupant entering the space and exiting the space may be determined based on the installation orientation of the occupant counting sensor, which may be indicated to the control circuit via a switching device (e.g., the orientation switch206). Also as described herein, the patterns associated with an occupant entering the space and exiting may include a peak positive voltage followed by a peak negative voltage, a peak negative voltage followed by a peak positive voltage, and/or vice versa.

If the pattern of the collected samples indicates that an occupant has entered the space, the control circuit may increase an occupant count (e.g., a sensor occupant count) by one at422. Otherwise, the control circuit may decrease the occupant count by one at424. After adjusting the occupant count, the control circuit may wait for a blanking period (e.g., with a configurable duration) at426before checking again, at428, whether another motion in the proximity of the occupant counting sensor has been detected. The blanking period may prevent the control circuit from responding to any residual peaks of the signal generated by the detection circuit as a result of the occupant entering or exiting the room. If there is motion at428, the control circuit may repeat the actions described above. If there is no motion at428, the control circuit may, at430, enter a sleep mode for a preconfigured period of time or until the control circuit is notified about the detection of a motion in its proximity. The control circuit may then exit the procedure400at432.

The control circuit may also enter the sleep mode at430when the control circuit determines that no motion has been detected at412.

FIG.5shows an example occupant counting sensor500(e.g., the occupant counting sensor190ofFIG.1) configured to detect an occupant (e.g., a person and/or an energy-emitting body) entering or exiting a space (e.g., a room). The occupant counting sensor500may be installed near a doorway502of the space, thus having a field of view of the doorway502. For example, the occupant counting sensor500may be placed near an upper side of the doorway502(e.g., an upper center section of the doorway), an upper or a lower corner of the doorway502, to a middle side section of the doorway502, to the left side or the right side of the doorway502, and/or to the inside or outside of the doorway502. The occupant counting sensor500may be mounted to a door frame504around the doorway502, inside of the door frame504, and/or otherwise mounted to the structure surrounding the door frame504to appropriately detecting an occupant moving through the doorway502. In addition, although only one occupant counting sensor is shown inFIG.5, multiple such sensors may be mounted to various locations near the doorway502to improve the accuracy of the detection of people entering or exiting the space.

The occupant counting sensor500may include a detection circuit (not shown) configured to detect one or more occupants (e.g., energy-emitting bodies) in a coverage area (e.g., an area near the doorway502), and generate one or more signals indicating a location of one or occupant(s) in the coverage area. The detection circuit may be configured to generate an occupant map, e.g., a two-dimensional (2D) map or image indicating the locations of the occupants. The occupant map may also comprise a three-dimensional (3D) map or image. For example, the detection circuit may comprise a thermopile array such as an N×N array of heat-responsive elements. The detection circuit may comprise a microbolometer array (e.g., an N×N array of heat-responsive elements) or another suitable type of thermal camera or detector. The heat-responsive elements may be sensitive to thermal energy levels at various spots of the coverage area501, and may operate to covert the thermal energy into electrical signals indicative of the thermal energy levels in the coverage area. As such, the output of the thermopile array may represent an occupant map (e.g., a 2D thermal image or heat map) of the coverage area501with each heat-responsive element of the thermopile array corresponding to a pixel in the heat map. As a heat-emitting object (e.g., a person or occupant) moves in and out of the coverage area501and/or through the coverage area501, the output of the thermopile array (e.g., the 2D thermal image) may indicate changes (or lack of changes) in the thermal energy levels at the various spots of the coverage area. The output may consequently be used to determine the location of the heat-emitting object in the coverage area501. The detection circuit may also comprise a radar sensing circuit, a visible light sensing circuit (e.g., a camera), and/or a time-of-flight sensing circuit (e.g., as will be described in greater detail below).

The occupant counting sensor500may further include a control circuit (not shown) coupled to the detection circuit (e.g., thermopile array) and configured to receive the output signals (e.g., the occupant map) of the detection circuit. The control circuit may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any suitable processing device. The control circuit may be configured to process the output signals (e.g., the occupant map) of the detection circuit and determine the location and/or movements of a person in the coverage area501based on the processed output signals. For example, the occupant map may be used to monitor the coverage area501near the doorway502. The coverage area501may comprise a plurality of zones. A first zone (e.g., zone A508shown inFIG.5) may correspond to an area outside of the doorway502(e.g., outside of the space or room), a second zone (e.g., zone B510shown inFIG.5) may correspond to all or a part of the doorway502, and a third zone (e.g., zone C512shown inFIG.5) may correspond to an area inside of the doorway502(e.g., inside the space or room). The control circuit may, in response to receiving the output signals (e.g., the occupant map) from the detection circuit, detect the location and/or movements of the person relative to the plurality of zones508-512and determine whether the person has entered or exited the space based on the detected location and/or movements of the person. For instance, if the control circuit determines, based on the output signals (e.g., the occupant map) of the detection circuit, that the person has moved through the plurality of zones in a first order (e.g., from zone A508to zone C512through zone B510), the control circuit may further determine that the person has entered the space. Likewise, if the control circuit determines, based on the output signals (e.g., the occupant map) of the detection circuit, that the person has moved through the plurality of zones in a second order (e.g., from zone C512to zone A508through zone B510), the control circuit may further determine that the person has left the space.

The control circuit may determine an occupant count of the space in response to determining that a person has entered or exited the space. For example, the control circuit may increase an occupant count of the space based on a determination that a person has entered the space, and may decrease the occupant count based on a determination that a person has left the space.

The occupant counting sensor500may be configured to transmit one or more digital messages to a system controller (e.g., the system controller110) via RF signals (e.g., using the proprietary protocol described herein) in response to determining an occupant count of the space. The digital messages may indicate the occupant count or a change thereof. For example, the occupant counting sensor500may be a one-way transmitter (e.g., may not be configured to receive digital messages), and may be configured to periodically transmit a sensor occupant count that indicates the changes in the number of occupants since the last transmission from the occupant counting sensor500. The occupant counting sensor500may be configured to reset the occupant count stored in memory at the occupant counting sensor after the occupant counting sensor transmits the change in occupant count. For example, the sensor occupant count may be either positive or negative based on how many occupants enter or exit the space since the last reset of the occupant count. The system controller may be configured to maintain a central occupant count for the space. For example, the system controller may add the sensor occupant count (e.g., that indicates the changes in the occupant count of the space) to the central occupant count in response to receiving the sensor occupant count from the occupant counting sensor500.

The occupant counting sensor500may comprise a switch (not shown) that may be manipulated to inform the occupant counting sensor500about the orientation and/or location of the installation (e.g., whether the occupant counting sensor is mounted to center of the doorway502, on the left or right side of the doorway502, and/or inside or outside of the doorway502). Based on the orientation, the occupant counting sensor500may know which specific output signal corresponds to which direction of movement. For example, when the occupant counting sensor500is installed with a first orientation, the sensor may associate a first output signal pattern with a person entering through the doorway502. When the occupant counting sensor500is installed with a second orientation, the sensor may associate a second output signal pattern with a person leaving through the doorway502.

FIG.6is an example block diagram of an example occupant counting sensor600(e.g., the occupant counting sensor500ofFIG.5). The occupant counting sensor600may comprise a detection circuit610and a control circuit615. The detection circuit610may be configured to generate an occupant map, e.g., a two-dimensional (2D) map or image indicating the locations of the occupants. The occupant map may also comprise a three-dimensional (3D) map or image. For example, the detection circuit610may comprise a thermopile array612(e.g., N×N heat-responsive elements, where N may be equal to 8). These heat-responsive elements may be capable of detecting thermal energy (e.g., heat) generated from an energy-emitting body (e.g., an occupant) in a coverage area (e.g., the coverage area501shown inFIG.5) and producing one or more signals that represent an occupant map (e.g., a 2D thermal image or heat map) of the area. Each heat-responsive element may correspond to a pixel in the occupant map (e.g., the 2D thermal image) and the signal generated by the heat-responsive element may represent the thermal energy level at a respective spot of the coverage area. As such, the output of the detection circuit610may be used to determine where the occupant (e.g., the energy-emitting body) is in the coverage area (e.g., since the thermal energy level at the location of the energy-emitting body may be different than the thermal energy levels at other locations of the coverage area).

The control circuit615may be configured to receive the signals generated by the detection circuit610and determine the X-Y coordinates of the occupant (e.g., the energy-emitting body) in the occupant map (e.g., the 2D thermal image) or the area covered by the detection circuit610. The control circuit615may comprise a occupant map processing unit630(e.g., a software module for processing the occupant map), an occupant tracking filter632(e.g., a software module implementing a Kalman tracking filter), and/or a control unit634(e.g., a control software module). The control circuit615may comprise a microprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any suitable processing device that may be configured to perform the functions of the occupant map processing unit630, the occupant tracking filter632, and/or the control unit634. Although shown as comprising all three of the occupant map processing unit630, the occupant tracking filter632, and/or the control unit634, the control circuit may also comprise a subset of those components.

The occupant map processing unit630may be configured to receive inputs from the detection circuit610and output preliminary coordinates of an occupant in the occupant map or the area covered by the occupant counting sensor600. The inputs received from the detection circuit610may represent, for example, a plurality of pixels of the occupant map (e.g., the 2D thermal image) for the covered area and the occupant map processing unit630may identify which one or more pixels of the occupant map represent (e.g., are covered by) the occupant (e.g., the energy-emitting body). For example, the identification may be made by comparing the thermal energy level at each pixel of the 2D thermal image generated by the detection circuit610to a pre-determined threshold value and determining that a pixel is covered by the energy-emitting body if the thermal energy level at the pixel exceeds the pre-determined threshold.

Upon identifying the one or more pixels of the occupant map representing the occupant, the occupant map processing unit630may further determine the X-Y coordinates of the occupant. For example, if the occupant occupies just one of the pixels of the occupant map, the occupant map processing unit630may determine the X-Y coordinates of the occupant based on the location of that one pixel in the occupant map. If the energy-emitting body occupies multiple of the pixels of the occupant map, the occupant map processing unit630may determine the X-Y coordinates of the occupant based on a centroid of the multiple pixels (e.g., based on a center pixel among the multiple pixels).

The X-Y coordinates determined by the occupant map processing unit630may deviate from the actual coordinates of the occupant in the occupant map or the coverage area covered by the detection circuit610(e.g., due to errors introduced when measuring the thermal energy levels). Such deviations may be reduced or eliminated by further processing the X-Y coordinates determined by the occupant map processing unit630using a filter (e.g., the occupant tracking filter632) and obtaining refined X-Y coordinates of the occupant at the output of the filter.

The X-Y coordinates (e.g., refined X-Y coordinates) of the occupant may be provided to the control unit634and used to determine the movements of the occupant in an area covered by the detection circuit610. As described herein, the coverage area of the detection circuit610may comprise a plurality of zones (e.g., zones508-512shown inFIG.5). The zones may correspond, for example, to areas near an entrance or exit of a space. As such, by tracking the movements of the occupant in these areas, the control unit634may determine whether the occupant has entered or exited the space. For example, the control unit634may use a state machine to track an occupant moving through the zones of the coverage area. The control unit634may be configured to track multiple occupants within the coverage area. For example, the control unit634may use separate state machines for each of the multiple occupants in the coverage area.

When tracking an occupant entering the space, the control unit634may initially determine, based on the X-Y coordinates of the occupant, that the occupant has entered a first zone near (e.g., just outside) an entrance or exit of the space (e.g., zone A508shown inFIG.5). In response to detecting the occupant in this zone, the control unit634may assign an identifier (e.g., a tracking number) to the occupant. Subsequently, the control unit634may determine, based on updated X-Y coordinates of the occupant provided by the detection circuit610and the identifier assigned to the occupant, that the occupant has moved from the first zone through a second zone (e.g., zone B510shown inFIG.5) into a third zone (e.g., zone C510shown inFIG.5) inside the entrance or exit of the space. In response to detecting that the occupant entered the first zone, moved through the zones, and exited the last zone, the control unit634may determine that the occupant has entered the space.

Similarly, after initially detecting the occupant, the control unit634may later determine, based on X-Y coordinates of the occupant and the identifier assigned to the occupant, that the occupant has moved from the third zone through the second zone into the first zone. In that case, the control unit634may determine that the occupant has left the space and may disassociate the occupant with the identifier assigned to the occupant.

In certain situations, the control unit634may lose track of an occupant or determine that a tracked occupant has shown a lack of movements (e.g., no movements for a preconfigured time duration). In response, the control unit634may mark the occupant as an idle occupant (e.g., being in an idle state), and may disassociate the occupant with the identifier previously assigned to the occupant. Subsequently, if the control unit634detects the occupant again (e.g., when the occupant enters zone A, zone B or zone C) or if the control unit634determines that the occupant has resumed movements, the control unit634may assign a new identifier to the occupant and start tracking the occupant again.

The occupant counting sensor600may more accurately detect when the occupant enters or leaves the space by tracking the movements of an occupant through multiple zones of a two-dimensional area and determining whether the occupant has entered or exited the space based on the tracked movements. Using these techniques, the occupant counting sensor600may avoid false determinations of an occupant's entry or exit status with respect to a particular space. For example, if an occupant lingers in a doorway of the space (e.g., if the occupant enters zone B shown inFIG.5but does not leave), the control unit634may not make a determination regarding the occupant's entry or exit status until further movements of the occupant are detected (e.g., until the occupant moves into zone A or zone C shown inFIG.5).

The control unit634may maintain an occupant count for the space that the control unit is configured to monitor. If the control unit634determines that an occupant has entered the space, the control circuit634may increase the occupant count accordingly. If the control unit634determines that an occupant has left the space, the control circuit634may decrease the occupant count accordingly. If the occupant count is greater than zero, the control unit614may additionally infer that the space is occupied. When the occupant count falls to zero, the control unit634may infer that the space has become unoccupied.

The occupant counting sensor600may comprise an orientation switch616. The orientation switch616may be manipulated to inform the occupant counting sensor600about the orientation of the installation (e.g., whether the occupant counting sensor is mounted to the center of the doorway502, on the left or right side of the doorway502, and/or inside or outside of the doorway502). Based on the orientation, the occupant counting sensor600may know how to interpret the signals (e.g., the 2D thermal image) received from the detection circuit610in order to determine the location (e.g., X-Y coordinates) and/or movements of an occupant.

The occupant counting sensor600may comprise a memory618configured to store the X-Y coordinates of the occupants as provided by the occupant map processing unit630and/or the occupant tracking filter632. The memory618may also be configured to store information (e.g., boundary information) about one or more zones of a coverage area, as described herein. The memory618may also be configured to store the identifier (e.g., the tracking number) of the occupant as well as the state of the state machine (e.g., which zone(s) of the coverage area the occupants are in) and/or the X-Y coordinates associated with the tracking number. The stored information may be used by the control unit634to track the movements of the occupants and/or to determine the entry/exit status of the occupants, as described herein. When an occupant exits the coverage area, the tracking number and associated state machine state (e.g., X-Y coordinates) may be deleted from the memory618. The memory618may also be configured to store the occupant count and/or occupancy status of the space. For example, the control unit634may be configured to save different occupant counts that are associated with different time periods in the memory618so that a historical view of the occupancy condition of the space (e.g., a usage history) may be derived. Further, operational parameters of the occupant counting sensor600may also be stored in the memory618. For example, the control unit634may be configured to store the threshold value for determining whether a pixel in the occupant map corresponds to an occupant in the memory618. The memory618may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the control circuit615or as an internal circuit of the control circuit615.

The occupant counting sensor600may comprise a communication circuit620configured to transmit and/or receive digital messages via a communication link using a communication protocol. For example, the communication link may comprise a wireless communication link and the communication circuit620may comprise an RF transceiver coupled to an antenna. The communication link may comprise a wired digital communication link and the communication circuit620may comprise a wired communication circuit. The communication protocol may comprise a proprietary protocol, such as, for example, the ClearConnect protocol. The control circuit615may be configured to transmit and/or receive digital messages via the communication link during normal operation of the occupant counting sensor600. For example, the control circuit615may be configured to transmit an indication of a determined occupant count (or a change thereof) of a space to a system controller (e.g., the system controller110ofFIG.1) using the communication circuit620. The control circuit615may also be able to receive an indication of an occupant count (or a change thereof) of a space determined by another occupant counting sensor (e.g., an occupant counting sensor installed at a different doorway of the space). In the latter case, the occupant counting sensor600may perform some or all of the functions of a system controller, as described herein.

The occupant counting sensor600may comprise a power source622for producing a DC supply voltage VCCfor powering the detection circuit610, control circuit615, the memory618, the communication circuit620and other low-voltage circuitry of the occupant counting sensor600. The power source622may comprise a power supply configured to receive an external supply voltage from an external power source (e.g., an AC mains line voltage power source and/or an external DC power supply). In addition, the power source622may comprise a battery for powering the circuitry of the occupant counting sensor600.

The detection circuit610may also comprise a radar sensing circuit, a visible light sensing circuit, and/or a time-of-flight sensing circuit. For example, when the detection circuit610comprises a radar sensing circuit, the occupant map processing unit630of the control circuit615may comprise a radar detection software module. The radar sensing circuit may comprise a transmitting antenna array (e.g., a phased array) coupled to the control circuit615(e.g., the radar detection software module) via a radar transmitter circuit, and/or a receiving antenna array (e.g., a phased array) coupled to the control circuit615(e.g., the radar detection software module) via a radar receiver circuit. In addition, when the detection circuit610comprises a visible light sensing circuit, the occupant map processing unit620of the control circuit615may comprise an image processing software module. The visible light sensing circuit may comprise a camera configured to record an image of the space that may be received by the image processing software module of the control circuit615.

FIG.7Ais an example state diagram that may be used by an occupant counting sensor (e.g., the occupant counting sensor500ofFIG.5, and/or the occupant counting sensor600ofFIG.6) for determining the movements of an occupant (e.g., an energy-emitting body) when the occupant is entering a space (e.g., a room). The occupant counting sensor may use a separate state machine to track each occupant in the coverage area. The occupant counting sensor may be in an idle state before detecting an occupant that may be entering the space (e.g., when there are no occupants in the coverage area). The occupant may enter a first zone (e.g., Zone A) of an area monitored by the occupant counting sensor. Such entry may be detected by the occupant counting sensor (e.g., as described herein) and the occupant counting sensor may assign an identifier (e.g., a tracking number) to the detected occupant. The occupant counting sensor may save the identifier, the state of the state machine (e.g., the zone of the coverage area that the occupant is in), and/or the location (e.g., X-Y coordinates) of the occupant in a memory (e.g., the memory618) of the occupant counting sensor. As the occupant moves from the first zone to a second zone (e.g., Zone B), the occupant counting sensor may track (e.g., record) that movement (e.g., using the occupant tracking filter632), for example, based on updated coordinates of the occupant and/or the identifier assigned to the occupant. The occupant counting sensor may similarly track the movement of the occupant as the occupant moves from the second zone to a third zone (e.g., Zone C). When the occupant exits the third zone, the occupant detection sensor may no longer detect the occupant in the coverage area. In response to detecting the movement of the occupant through the first, second and third zones (e.g., in that specific order) and then exiting the third zone, the occupant counting sensor may determine that the occupant has entered the space. As a result, the occupant counting sensor may increase an occupant count of the space to reflect that the occupant has entered the space. The occupant counting sensor may then disassociate the occupant with the identifier previously assigned to the occupant (e.g., the occupant counting sensor may destroy the identifier assigned to the occupant) and eliminate that instance of the state machine. The occupant counting sensor may then re-enter the idle state.

When in any of the first, second, or third zone, the occupant may become static (e.g., exhibits a lack of movements and/or is lingering in the doorway) or undetectable (e.g., the occupant has exited the coverage area monitored by the occupant counting sensor). In those situations, the occupant counting sensor may consider the occupant to have entered an idle or stationary state, and as a result, the occupant counting sensor may disassociate the occupant with the identifier previously assigned to the occupant (e.g., the occupant counting sensor may destroy the identifier assigned to the occupant), and eliminate the instance of the state machine. In addition, the occupant counting sensor may determine that the occupant has moved backwards, for example, from the third zone to the second zone, or from the second zone to the first zone.

FIG.7Bis an example state diagram that may be used by an occupant counting sensor (e.g., the occupant counting sensor500ofFIG.5, and/or the occupant counting sensor600ofFIG.6) for determining the movements of an occupant when the occupant is exiting a space (e.g., a room). The occupant counting sensor may use a separate state machine to track each occupant in the coverage area. As described above, the occupant counting sensor may be in the idle state before being detecting an occupant that may be entering the space. The occupant may be detected by the occupant counting sensor in the third zone (e.g., Zone C). In response to the detection, the occupant counting sensor may assign an identifier to the occupant. The occupant counting sensor may save the identifier, the state of the state machine (e.g., the zone of the coverage area), and/or the location (e.g., X-Y coordinates) of the occupant in a memory (e.g., the memory618) of the occupant counting sensor. As the occupant moves from the third zone to the second zone (e.g., Zone B), the occupant counting sensor may track (e.g., record) that movement (e.g., using the occupant tracking filter632), for example, based on updated coordinates of the occupant and/or the identifier assigned to the occupant. The occupant counting sensor may similarly track the movement of the occupant as the occupant moves from the second zone to the first zone (e.g., Zone A). When the occupant exits the first zone, the occupant detection sensor may no longer detect the occupant in the coverage area. In response to detecting the movement of the occupant through the third, second and first zones (e.g., in that specific order) and then exiting the first zone, the occupant counting sensor may determine that the occupant has left the space. As a result, the occupant counting sensor may decrement the occupant count maintained for the space. The occupant counting sensor may then disassociate the occupant with the identifier previously assigned to the occupant (e.g., the occupant counting sensor may destroy the identifier assigned to the occupant), and eliminate that instance of the state machine. The occupant counting sensor may then re-enter the idle state.

When in any of the first, second, or third zone, the occupant may become static (e.g., exhibits a lack of movements and/or is lingering in the doorway) or undetectable (e.g., the occupant has exited the coverage area monitored by the occupant counting sensor). In that situation, the occupant counting sensor may consider the occupant to have entered an idle or stationary state, and as a result, the occupant counting sensor may destroy the identifier assigned to the occupant and eliminate the instance of the state machine. In addition, the occupant counting sensor may determine that the occupant has moved backwards, for example, from the first zone to the second zone, or from the second zone to the third zone.

Although described herein as comprising a thermopile array, an occupant counting sensor (e.g., the occupant counting sensor500or the occupant counting sensor600) may alternatively or additionally comprise a radar sensing circuit. Such a radar sensing circuit may in turn comprise a radar detection processor, a transmitting antenna array (e.g., a phased array) coupled to the radar detection processor (e.g., via a radar transmitter circuit), and/or a receiving antenna array (e.g., a phased array) coupled to the radar detection processor (e.g., via a radar receiver circuit). The radar sensing circuit may be implemented using modulated continuous wave radar technology or other types of radar technology, such as, for example, pulsed radar, continuous wave radar, side aperture radar, phased-array radar, mono-static radar, multi-static radar, and/or the like. The radar detection processor may be configured to transmit a radar signal (e.g., a chirp) via a transmitting antenna array, and receive a reflected signal via a receiving antenna array. The radar signal may be a frequency-modulated continuous waveform (FMCW) that increased in frequency over a period time. The radar sensing circuit may be configured to process the reflected signal (e.g., as compared to the transmitted radar signal) to determine a Doppler shift of the reflected signal and data regarding an occupant of the space, such as the distance to the occupant, a direction of movement of the occupant, and/or an acceleration of the occupant.

The radar detection processor may be configured to measure the angles at which a moving object (e.g., an occupant) may be detected using the transmitting antenna array and the receiving antenna array. The radar detection processor may be configured to measure various detection angles and determine data regarding the moving object at each detection angle. The radar detection processor may transmit a radar signal at each detection angle and receive a reflected signal to process. The radar detection processor may be configured to build a map (e.g., a two-dimensional or three-dimensional map) of the moving object in an area monitored by the radar sensing circuit based on the determined data regarding the moving object at each detection angle. The map may be built in a similar manner as the heat map or 2D thermal image described in association with a thermopile array, at least with respect to how the map may be used to determine a location (e.g., X-Y coordinates) of the moving object in the map or the area covered by the map. Such a map may be used to determine the entry/exit status of the moving object and/or the number of occupants in the monitored area. Therefore, the techniques described above regarding tracking the moving object through multiple zones in order to determine the entry, exit or idle status of the moving object (e.g., as depicted inFIGS.7A and7B) may be equally applicable to an occupant counting sensor comprising a radar sensing circuit. For example, when the occupant counting sensor comprises a radar sensing circuit, the occupant tracking filter may be implemented as an extended Kalman tracking filter.

The occupant counting sensor described herein (e.g., the occupant counting sensor500or the occupant counting sensor600) may comprise a visible light sensing device that utilizes a camera directed to an area of interest of the space to record images of the area. These images may contain information regarding one or more characteristics of the area such as the movements of an object in the area. The images may be processed (e.g., similarly to the heat map of 2D thermal image described above) to determine an occupancy condition and/or occupant count of the area. Therefore, the techniques described above regarding tracking the moving object through multiple zones in order to determine the entry, exit or idle status of the moving object (e.g., as depicted inFIGS.7A and7B) may be equally applicable to an occupant counting sensor comprising a visible light sensing device. Examples of a visible light sensing device are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U. S Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0171941, published Jun. 15, 2017, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0168019, published Jun. 14, 2018, both entitled LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING A VISIBLE LIGHT SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In addition, the occupant counting sensor described herein (e.g., the occupant counting sensor500or the occupant counting sensor600) may comprise a time-of-flight sensing circuit. In addition to providing X-Y coordinates, the time-of-flight sensing circuit may also provide a Z-coordinate of an occupant in a coverage area (e.g., Z-coordinate may indicate the distance from the occupant counting sensor to the occupant). The X-Y-Z coordinates of the occupant may indicate a location of the occupant in the coverage area and thus may be used to track movements of the occupant in a similar manner as described herein. Therefore, the techniques described above regarding tracking a moving object through multiple zones in order to determine the entry, exit or idle status of the moving object (e.g., as depicted inFIGS.7A and7B) may be equally applicable to an occupant counting sensor comprising a time-of-flight sensing circuit.

The accuracy of the occupant counting sensors described herein may be affected by numerous factors. For example, multiple people walking side by side through a doorway, close following each other through the doorway, or standing by the doorway may confuse the occupant counting sensor. The occupant counting sensor may also be subject to false trip interference caused by one or more components of the occupant counting sensor. To prevent and/or reduce the impact of these factors over time, e.g., to prevent any miscount from persisting or propagating into a different time period, the occupant counting sensor may be configured to reset its occupant counter periodically.

In examples, the occupant counting sensor may be configured to reset the occupant count (e.g., a sensor occupant count) maintained by the sensor upon transmitting the count to another device (e.g., to a system controller), upon persisting the count to memory, etc. For example, the system controller may maintain a room occupant count in response to receiving the sensor occupant count from the occupant counting sensor.

Resetting the occupant count may allow the occupant counting sensor to effectively only report a change in the number of the occupants of a space. To illustrate, the occupant counting sensor may have miscounted that five people entered a room while in fact only four people entered that room. By having the ability to reset the occupant count to zero and effectively only determine/report a change in the number of occupants in the room, the occupant counting sensor may still be able to correctly determine/report the number of people that have left the room after the factor(s) causing the miscount have been removed or corrected.

As described herein, an occupant counting sensor (e.g., the occupant counting sensor190, the occupant counting sensor200, the occupant counting sensor300, the occupant counting sensor500, and/or the occupant counting sensor600) may report an occupant count or a change thereof to another device. Such other device may be a system controller (e.g., the system controller110), another occupant counting sensor (e.g., which perform some or all of the functions of a system controller), etc. The receiving device may be configured to maintain occupant counts (e.g., room occupant counts) for one or more user spaces and adjust these counts based on information received from the transmitting sensor.

FIG.8is a communication sequence diagram depicting example message flows (e.g., digital message flows) in a system800comprising two occupant counting sensors810,812(e.g., the occupant counting sensors190,300,500,600) and a system controller (e.g., the system controller110). For example, the occupant counting sensors810,812may be mounted to different doorways and/or entranceways of a room to detect occupant entering and/or exiting the room. The system controller814may maintain a room occupant count in response to both of the occupant counting sensors810,812. The occupant counting sensor810,812may each transmit (e.g., periodically transmit) a respective sensor occupant count to the system controller814, where the respective sensor occupant count may indicate a change in the room occupant count since the last transmission of the sensor occupant count.

For example, the first occupant counting sensor810may detect an occupant entering the room at820and may transmit a sensor occupant count of positive one to the system controller814at822. The first occupant counting sensor810may clear its sensor occupant count at824(e.g., after transmitting the sensor occupant count at822). After receiving the sensor occupant count that was transmitted at822, the system controller814may add one to the room occupant count at826. The second occupant counting sensor812may detect an occupant entering the room at828and at830. The second occupant counting sensor812may transmit a sensor occupant count of positive two to the system controller814at832and clear its sensor occupant count at834. After receiving the sensor occupant count that was transmitted at832, the system controller814may add two to the room occupant count at836.

The first occupant counting sensor810may detect an occupant exiting the room at838, detect an occupant entering the room at840, and detect an occupant exiting the room at842. The first occupant counting sensor810may transmit a sensor occupant count of negative one at844and clear its occupant count at846. After receiving the sensor occupant count that was transmitted at844, the system controller814may subtract one from the room occupant count at848. The second occupant counting sensor812may detect an occupant entering the room at850and at852, and detect an occupant exiting the room at854. The second occupant counting sensor812may transmit a sensor occupant count of positive one at856and clear its occupant count at858. After receiving the sensor occupant count that was transmitted at856, the system controller814may add one to the room occupant count at860.

FIG.9shows a flowchart of an example procedure900for transmitting and resetting a sensor occupant count at an occupant counting sensor. The procedure900may be executed (e.g., periodically) by a control circuit of an occupant counting sensor (e.g., the control circuit315of the occupant counting sensor300and/or the control circuit615of the occupant counting sensor600) at910. At912, the control circuit may transmit the occupant count maintained by the occupant counting sensor to another device (e.g., to the system controller, to another occupant counting sensor, to another device of the load control system the sensor belongs to, etc.), before the procedure900exits. Subsequent to the transmission, the control circuit may reset the occupant count to zero at914such that the counting of occupants can start anew.

FIG.10shows a flowchart of an example occupant count receiving procedure1000. The example receiving procedure1000may be executed by a receiving device such as a system controller (e.g., the system controller110), the control circuit of another occupant counting sensor (e.g., the control circuit315of the occupant counting sensor300and/or the control circuit615of the occupant counting sensor600), and/or the like, at1010. At1012, the receiving device may receive occupant count information (e.g., a sensor occupant count) from an occupant counting sensor such as the occupant counting sensor200or occupant counting sensor600relating to the number of people occupying a certain user space or a change thereof. The occupant count information may be included in one or more digital messages and be transmitted to the receiving device via a wired or wireless communication link, for example, as described herein.

The receiving device may keep an overall occupant count (e.g., a room occupant count) for the user space and may additionally maintain historical room occupant data for the user space. The historical room occupant data may, for example, include respective room occupant counts associated with various points (e.g., various time periods) in time. In response to receiving the occupant count information from the occupant count sensor, the receiving device may adjust the overall occupant counter for the user space at1014based on the received information. For example, the receiving device may increase the overall occupant count when a positive occupant count is received from the occupant count sensor, and may decrease the overall occupant count when a negative occupant count is received from the occupant count sensor. The receiving device may further maintain the overall occupant counter when the occupant count from the occupant count sensor is zero.

The receiving device may be capable of correcting any miscount of occupants based on other information acquired by the receiving device. For example, at1015, the receiving device may determine if the room occupant count is less than zero. If the determination at1015is that the room occupant count is less than zero, the receiving device may decide that there is a mistake in the counting, and may correct the mistake. For example, the receiving device may, at1020, update the historical room occupant count data for the user space by adding the miscounted value to each relevant data point (e.g., each occupant count associated a respective time period). Additionally, the receiving device may clear the overall occupant counter by resetting it to zero at1022. The receiving device may then exit the procedure1000at1024.

At1016, the receiving device may determine, based on information received from an occupancy sensor installed in the user space (e.g., the occupancy sensor180), whether the user space is occupied. If the determination at1016is that the user space is unoccupied but the overall occupant counter for the user space is determined at1018to be greater than zero, the receiving device may decide that there is a mistake in the counting, and may correct the mistake. For example, the receiving device may, at1020, update the historical room occupant count data for the user space by subtracting the miscounted value from each relevant data point (e.g., each occupant count associated a respective time period). Additionally, the receiving device may clear the overall occupant counter by resetting it to zero at1022. The receiving device may then exit the procedure1000at1024.

If the determination at1016is that the user space is occupied and the overall occupant counter for the user space is determined at1018to be greater than zero, the receiving device may decide that there is no mistake in the counting, and may exit the procedure1000at1024. And receiving device may also exit the procedure1000upon determining, at1012, that no occupant count has been received.

As described herein, the receiving device may be configured to receive occupant count information from more than one occupant counting sensor (e.g., when the user space has multiple doorways each monitored by a sensor). In those scenarios, the receiving device may be capable of integrating the occupant count information received from the multiple sensors and adjust the overall occupant counter for the user space accordingly.

FIG.11is a block diagram illustrating an example system controller1100(such as system controller111, described herein) that may be configured to execute the procedure1000. The system controller1100may include a control circuit1102for controlling the functionality of the system controller1100including executing the procedure1000. The control circuit1102may include one or more general purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, a programmable logic device (PLD), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The control circuit1102may perform signal coding, data processing, image processing, power control, input/output processing, or any other functionality that enables the system controller1100to perform the functions described herein. The control circuit1102may store information in and/or retrieve information from a memory1104. The memory1104may include a non-removable memory and/or a removable memory. The non-removable memory may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of non-removable memory storage. The removable memory may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card, or any other type of removable memory.

The system controller1100may include a communications circuit1106for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit1106may perform wireless and/or wired communications. The system controller1100may also, or alternatively, include a communications circuit1108for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit1108may perform wireless and/or wired communications. Communications circuits1106and1108may be in communication with control circuit1102. The communications circuits1106and1108may include RF transceivers or other communications modules capable of performing wireless communications via an antenna. The communications circuit1106and communications circuit1108may be capable of performing communications via the same communication channels or different communication channels. For example, the communications circuit1106may be capable of communicating (e.g., with a network device, over a network, etc.) via a wireless communication channel (e.g., BLUETOOTH®, near field communication (NFC), WIFI®, Thread, WI-MAX®, cellular, etc.) and the communications circuit1108may be capable of communicating (e.g., with control devices and/or other devices in the load control system) via another wireless communication channel (e.g., WI-FI® or a proprietary communication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™).

The control circuit1102may be in communication with an LED indicator1112for providing indications to a user. The control circuit1102may be in communication with an actuator1114(e.g., one or more buttons) that may be actuated by a user to communicate user selections to the control circuit1102. For example, the actuator1114may be actuated to put the control circuit1102in an association mode and/or communicate association messages from the system controller1100.

Each of the modules within the system controller1100may be powered by a power source1116. The power source1116may include an AC power supply or DC power supply, for example. The power source1116may generate a supply voltage VCCfor powering the modules within the system controller1100.

Although features and elements are described herein in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements. For example, the functionality described herein may be described as being performed by a control device, such as a remote control device or a lighting device, but may be similarly performed by a hub device or a network device. The methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted over wired or wireless connections) and computer-readable storage media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), removable disks, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs).