CN116584017A

CN116584017A - Radio load control system

Info

Publication number: CN116584017A
Application number: CN202180084067.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·L·克里斯滕森; J·C·盖尔尼茨; R·萨普莎萨伊; J·P·斯坦纳
Original assignee: Lutron Electronics Co Inc
Current assignee: Lutron Electronics Co Inc
Priority date: 2020-12-01
Filing date: 2021-12-01
Publication date: 2023-08-11
Also published as: CA3200902A1; WO2022119879A1; MX2023006454A; EP4256544A1

Abstract

A control system for an electrical load device adapted to be installed in a space may include an electrical load device, an electrical load control device, and a load interface device. The electrical load device may be configured to receive a message from a proprietary remote control device via a wireless signal using a first wireless communication protocol. The load interface device may be configured to receive messages using a second wireless communication protocol and to transmit messages via wireless signals using the first wireless communication protocol. The load interface device: (1) Receiving a first message from the electrical load control device via the wireless signal using the second wireless communication protocol; and (2) in response to receiving the first message, sending a second message to the electrical load device via the wireless signal using the first wireless communication protocol, the second message including a command to control an output parameter of the electrical load device.

Description

Radio load control system

Background

For example, a user environment such as a home or office building may be configured using various types of load control systems. The lighting control system may be used to control a lighting load in a user environment. The motorized window treatment control system may be used to control natural light provided to the user's environment. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems may be used to control temperature in a user environment. Each load control system may include various control devices, including a control source device and a control target device. The control-target device may receive digital messages that may include load control instructions for controlling the electrical load from one or more of the control-source devices. The control-target device may be capable of directly controlling the electrical load. The control-source device may be capable of indirectly controlling the electrical load via the control-target device. Examples of control target devices may include lighting control devices (e.g., dimmer switches, electronic switches, ballasts, light Emitting Diode (LED) drivers), motor control devices (e.g., for ceiling fans or exhaust fans), motorized window treatment, temperature control devices (e.g., thermostats), AC plug-in load control devices, and the like. Examples of control source devices may include remote control devices, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, temperature sensors, and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

As described herein, a control system for one or more electrical loads installed in a space may include an electrical load device (e.g., a ceiling fan), a control device, and a load interface device. The electrical load device may be configured to receive the message via the wireless signal using a first wireless communication protocol. The control device may be configured to send the message via the wireless signal using a second wireless communication protocol different from the first wireless communication protocol. The load interface device may receive the first message from the control device via the wireless signal using the second wireless communication protocol, and in response to receiving the first message, send a second message to the electrical load device via the wireless signal using the first wireless communication protocol, the second message may include a command to control one or more output parameters (e.g., a rotational speed of the ceiling fan). In addition, the control device may include at least one of: (1) A load control device coupled in series electrical connection between an Alternating Current (AC) power source and an electrical load device; (2) A remote control device configured to send a first message in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons of the remote control device; or (3) a system controller configured to send the first message in response to a third message received via the network.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary load control system that includes a load interface device to receive wireless signals using a wireless communication protocol and to transmit corresponding wireless signals using a different wireless communication protocol.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary load control system, such as depicted in FIG. 1, that controls one or more operating parameters of an electrical load device including a ceiling fan.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary load interface device included in the load control system depicted in fig. 1 and 2.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary load control system 100 including an electrical load device 110 controlled via a proprietary remote control device 120 that communicates commands using a first communication protocol 104 or controlled via an electrical load control device 130 that receives signals using a load interface device 150 that receives commands using a second wireless protocol 106 from one or more of a system controller 160 or remote control device 140, according to one or more embodiments described herein. As depicted in fig. 1, the electrical load device 110 may be provided with a proprietary remote control device 120 that uses the first wireless communication protocol 104 to transmit commands to the electrical load device 110. Communication between the electrical load device 110 and the proprietary remote control device 120 may be unidirectional (i.e., from the proprietary remote control device 120 to the electrical load device 110) or bidirectional (i.e., between the proprietary remote control device 120 and the electrical load device 110). In at least some embodiments, it may be preferable or desirable to use a universal or similar remote control device 140 (which can replace two or more remote control devices, such as two or more proprietary remote control devices 120) to reduce the number of such remote control devices. The remote control device 140 may communicate using a second communication protocol 106 that is different from the first communication protocol, and thus the remote control device 140 may not be able to communicate directly with the electrical load device 110.

The electrical load control device 130 may be operatively coupled to the electrical load device 110. The electrical load control device 130 controls one or more operating parameters or output parameters of the electrical load device 110. For example, the electrical load control device 130 may be operatively coupled between the power source 102 (e.g., alternating current or AC power source 102) and the electrical load device 110 to control one or more aspects of the power (e.g., voltage, phase, etc.) supplied to the electrical load device 110. The electrical load control device 130 receives commands from the remote control device 140 and/or the system controller 160 using the second communication protocol 106. The load interface device 150 receives commands transmitted by the remote control device 140, the electrical load control device 106, and/or the system controller 160 using the second communication protocol 106 and sends corresponding commands to the electrical load device 110 using the first communication protocol 104. This effectively replaces the functionality provided by the proprietary remote control device 120 with one or more of the remote control device 150, the electrical load control device 130, and/or the system controller 160.

The electrical load device 110 may include a device that uses a Radio Frequency (RF) specific remote control 120 to control one or more operational aspects of the electrical load device 110. Exemplary electrical load devices may include, but are not limited to: ceiling fans, fireplaces, televisions, garage door openers, audio visual equipment, household appliances, and the like. Such electrical load devices 110 may include one or more RF receivers, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF transceivers, or a combination thereof. The proprietary remote control 120 changes, adjusts, or otherwise controls one or more output parameters of the electrical load device 110. Such output parameters typically vary depending on the type of electrical load device 110. For example, an electrical load device such as a ceiling fan may have output parameters such as: lamp on/off, lamp dimming, fan on/off, fan rotation, and/or fan speed. In another example, an electric fireplace may have output parameters such as: flame on/off, flame color, heater on/off, and warm air blower on/off. The proprietary remote control device 120 is typically accompanied by the electrical load device 110, allowing a user to control output parameters of the electrical load device 110. In some cases, the proprietary remote control device 120 may include a handheld or portable device that includes one or more user-actuatable controls, user interfaces, or user-controlled devices. In at least some cases, the proprietary remote control device 120 may include a set of instructions, logic, programs, or applications that are executed by processor circuitry in a handheld device, such as a smart phone or wearable computing device. The electrical load device 110 may include: wireless interface circuitry for receiving commands (e.g., fan on/off, light on/off, heater on/off, light dimming) from a proprietary remote control device; a memory circuit for storing configuration parameters (e.g., LED brightness/temperature correction tables) associated with the electrical load device; and control circuitry capable of executing instructions to alter, control, or adjust one or more output parameters of the electrical load device 110.

An electrical load control device 130 is disposed between the power source 102 and the electrical load device 110. In some embodiments, the electrical load control device 130 may be a simple on/off switch that interrupts power delivered by the power source 102 (e.g., an alternating current or AC distribution network) to the electrical load device 110. In some implementations, the electrical load control device 130 may include one or more user-actuatable controls to adjust one or more output parameters of the electrical load device 110. For example, the electrical load control device 130 may include one or more incrementally or continuously adjustable controls to adjust one or more controllably conductive devices to control the power delivered by the power source 102 to the electrical load device 110. In some embodiments, the electrical load control device 130 includes one or more RF receivers to receive commands from the remote control device 140 and/or the system controller 160 using the second wireless communication protocol 106. The electrical load control device 130 may include a load control device that may be mounted on a wall box.

The remote control device 140 communicates wirelessly with one or more of the electrical load control device 130, the load interface device 150, and the system controller 160 using the second wireless communication protocol 106. The remote control device 140 allows a device user to remotely adjust one or more output parameters of the electrical load device 110 by directly adjusting or indirectly adjusting (e.g., via the system controller 160) the power delivered to the electrical load device 110 by the electrical load control device 130. The remote control device 140 may comprise a dedicated device or may comprise a general purpose, processor-based device, such as a smart phone, wearable device, or handheld computing device, capable of executing a set of instructions, logic, programs, or applications to communicate with one or more of the electrical load control device 130, the load interface device 150, and the system controller 160 using the second wireless communication protocol 106.

The load interface device 150 receives the commands using the second communication protocol 106 and sends the corresponding commands to the electrical load device 110 using the first communication protocol 104. The load interface device 150 maps commands received from the remote control device 140 using the second wireless communication protocol 106 to, converts to, looks up, or otherwise translates the corresponding commands in the first wireless communication protocol 104 before sending the commands to the electrical load device using the first wireless communication protocol 104. The load interface device 150 advantageously increases the functionality of the remote control device 140 by providing the ability to change, adjust, or otherwise control the electrical load device 110 using the first wireless communication protocol 104. In some embodiments, the load interface device 150 includes an electrical connector, such as a binary or trifurcate plug, that allows the load interface device 150 to be directly coupled to the power source 102, for example, via an electrical jack coupled to the power distribution network. Since the load interface device 150 communicates using both the first wireless communication protocol 104 and the second wireless communication protocol 106, and since the first wireless communication protocol 104 and the second wireless communication protocol 106 may use different frequencies, the load interface device may have a single antenna circuit for communicating using both the first wireless communication protocol 104 and the second wireless communication protocol 106, or may have a first dedicated antenna circuit for the first wireless communication protocol 104 and a second dedicated antenna circuit for the second wireless communication protocol 106.

The system controller 160 communicates with the electrical load control device 130, the remote control device 140, and the load interface device 150 via the second wireless communication protocol 106. In some cases, the remote control 140 may communicate with the system controller 160 using a third wireless communication protocol (not shown in fig. 1) that is different from both the first wireless communication protocol 104 and the second wireless communication protocol 106. In some cases, instead of directly communicating with the load interface device 150, the remote control device 140 may instead communicate with a system controller 160, which in turn communicates with the load interface device 150. The system controller 160 may execute one or more sets of instructions, logic diagrams, programs, or applications to autonomously control one or more output parameters of the electrical load device 110. For example, the system controller 160 may execute one or more sets of instructions to autonomously energize a lamp coupled to the electrical load device 110 at a first defined time or event (e.g., sunset) and autonomously de-energize at a second defined time or event (e.g., sunrise). In another example, the system controller 160 may autonomously cycle the heat generator (i.e., heater) included in the electrical load device 110 on at a defined low temperature set point (e.g., 65°f) and autonomously cycle off at a defined high temperature set point (e.g., 70°f). In yet another example, the system controller 160 may cause the color temperature of the LED lighting fixtures included in the electrical load device 110 to automatically incrementally or continuously adjust the color output to follow a natural daily display routine. The system controller 160 may receive commands from one or more remote devices via the network 162.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary load control system 200 for controlling the operation of an electrical load device, such as a ceiling fan 210. Ceiling fan 210 may receive power from a power source, such as an Alternating Current (AC) power source 202. Ceiling fan 210 may be mounted to a ceiling of a room or space of a building. The ceiling fan 210 may include a plurality of blades 212 (e.g., three blades, as shown in fig. 2) that may be rotated by a motor to circulate air in a room. Ceiling fan 210 may also include motor control devices or circuits (not shown) that may be housed in base portion 214 and may control the rotational speed and direction of the motor. The ceiling fan 210 may also include a light source 216 (e.g., a lighting load) that may be controlled by a motor control. For example, the motor control device may be configured to turn the light source 216 on and off, and/or adjust the brightness level and/or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source 216.

The ceiling fan 210 may be configured to receive wireless signals, such as Radio Frequency (RF) signals 104, from a remote control 220 (e.g., a proprietary remote control provided by a manufacturer with the ceiling fan 210). For example, the remote control 220 may be configured to transmit the RF signal 104 to the ceiling fan 210 over a first wireless communication link using a first wireless communication protocol, which may be, for example, a proprietary protocol of the ceiling fan manufacturer. The first wireless communication link may be a unidirectional communication link and/or a bidirectional communication link. The proprietary remote control 220 may be configured to send a message via the RF signal 104 that includes commands for controlling the ceiling fan 210 in response to actuation of one or more of the plurality of buttons 222. For example, the motor control of the ceiling fan 210 may be configured to turn the motor on and off, increase and decrease the rotational speed of the motor by a predetermined amount, and/or adjust the direction of rotation in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons 222 of the exclusive remote control 220. In addition, the motor control of the ceiling fan 210 may be configured to turn the light source 216 on and off, and/or adjust the brightness level and/or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source 216 in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons 222 of the exclusive remote control 220.

The load control system 200 may include a fan control apparatus 230, a remote control apparatus 240, a fan interface apparatus 250, and a system controller 160. For example, the fan interface device 250 may be plugged into a receptacle of an electrical outlet 270, which may be electrically coupled to the AC power source 202. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to send a message to the ceiling fan 210 via the RF signal 104 (e.g., via a first wireless communication link using a first wireless communication protocol). The fan interface 250 may include one or more buttons 252. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to send a message via the RF signal 104 that includes commands for controlling the ceiling fan 210 in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons 252. The fan interface device 250 may be configured to store a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and/or a communication address) of the ceiling fan 210 and may be configured to communicate with the ceiling fan via the RF signal 104 using the unique identifier (e.g., by including the unique identifier in a message sent to the ceiling fan). For example, the motor control device of the ceiling fan 210 may be configured to turn the motor on and off, increase and decrease the rotational speed of the motor by a predetermined amount, adjust the rotational speed of the motor to a preset rotational speed, and/or adjust the direction of rotation in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons 252 of the fan interface device 250. In addition, the motor control of the ceiling fan 210 may be configured to turn the light source 216 on and off, and/or adjust the brightness level and/or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source 216 in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons 252 of the fan interface device 250.

The fan interface apparatus 250 may also be configured to receive messages that include feedback information of the ceiling fan 210. For example, the feedback information may indicate a status, rotational speed, direction of rotation, and/or other operational characteristics of the motor and/or a brightness level and/or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210. The fan interface apparatus 250 may also include one or more visual indicators 254 and may be configured to illuminate the visual indicators 254 and/or feedback information (e.g., status, speed, direction of rotation, and/or other operational characteristics of the motor and/or brightness level and/or color of the light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210) indicative of the ceiling fan 210 in response to actuation of one of the buttons 252. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to store the feedback information in the memory. In the event of a power outage, the fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to send a message including a command for controlling the ceiling fan 210 based on feedback information received prior to the power outage (e.g., based on previous status, rotational speed, rotational direction, light level, color, etc.).

The ceiling fan 210 may be configured with one or more operational settings that may determine the output of the ceiling fan motor and/or the light source 116. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to send a message including configuration information to the ceiling fan 210 via the RF signal 104 to adjust operational settings of the ceiling fan 210. The fan interface apparatus 250 may also be configured to receive a message via the RF signal 104 that includes operational settings of the ceiling fan 210. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to store operational settings of the ceiling fan 210 in memory. In the event that the ceiling fan 210 is replaced with a new ceiling fan, the fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to send the operating settings of the old ceiling fan to the new ceiling fan.

The fan interface device 250 may also be configured to transmit (e.g., send and receive) the RF signals 106 via a second wireless communication link using a second wireless communication protocol. The second wireless communication protocol may be different from the first wireless communication protocol, for example, a standard wireless communication protocol (e.g., bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WI-FI, read, and/or ZIGBEE protocols) and/or a proprietary wireless communication protocol, such as the CLEAR CONNECT protocol (e.g., CLEAR CONNECT a and/or CLEAR CONNECT X protocol). The second wireless communication link may be a bi-directional communication link. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to communicate with the fan control apparatus 230, the remote control apparatus 240, the system controller 160, and/or other control apparatus of the load control system 200 via the RF signal 106. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to send a message via the RF signal 104 that includes a command for controlling the ceiling fan 210 in response to receiving a message via the RF signal 106 from the fan control apparatus 230, the remote control apparatus 240, and/or the system controller 260. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to be associated with the fan control apparatus 230, the remote control apparatus 240, and/or the system controller 160 during a configuration process of the load control system 200. The fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to store in memory a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and/or a communication address) for each control apparatus of the load control system 200 associated with the fan interface apparatus 250, and may use the unique identifiers to communicate with the control apparatus via the RF signal 106.

The fan control apparatus 230 may be coupled in series between the AC power source 202 and the ceiling fan 210. For example, the fan control apparatus 230 may comprise a wall mounted fan control apparatus that is installed in place of a standard toggle switch. The fan control apparatus 230 may include an internal load control circuit (not shown) for temporarily disconnecting power to the ceiling during configuration of the load control system 200. During normal operation, the load control circuit may be continuously made conductive to conduct load current from the AC power source 202 to the ceiling fan 210.

The fan control apparatus 230 may include an upper control portion 232A and a lower control portion 232B for controlling the light source 216 and motor of the ceiling fan 210, respectively. The upper control portion 232A may include a toggle actuator 234A for turning the light source 116 on and off and a brightness adjustment actuator 236A for adjusting the brightness level and/or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source. The upper control portion 232A may also include a linear array of visual indicators 238A for providing feedback (e.g., current light level and/or color) of the light sources 216 of the ceiling fan 210. The lower control portion 232B may include a dial actuator 234B for turning on and off the motor of the ceiling fan 210 and a rotational speed adjustment actuator 236B for adjusting the rotational speed of the motor of the ceiling fan. The lower control portion 232B may also include a linear array of visual indicators 238B for providing feedback (e.g., feedback of current status, rotational speed, and/or rotational direction) of the motor of the ceiling fan 210.

The fan control apparatus 230 may be configured to send a message to the fan interface apparatus 250 via the RF signal 106 in response to actuation of the dial actuator 234A and/or the brightness adjustment actuator 236A and/or the dial actuator 234B and/or the speed adjustment actuator 236B of the upper control portion 232A, and the fan interface apparatus 250 may be configured to send commands for controlling the light source 216 and motor of the ceiling fan 210 via the RF signal 106 in response to messages received from the fan control apparatus 230 (e.g., in response to actuation of the dial actuators 234A, 234B, the brightness adjustment actuator 236A, and the speed adjustment actuator 236B). The fan control apparatus 230 may be configured to be associated with the fan interface apparatus 230 and store a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and/or a communication address) of the fan interface apparatus 230.

The fan control apparatus 230 may be configured to receive feedback information regarding the motor and/or light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210 and illuminate one or more of the visual indicators 238A of the upper control portion 232A and/or the visual indicators 238B of the lower control portion 232B to provide an indication of feedback information regarding the motor and/or light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210. The fan control apparatus 230 may be configured to store the feedback information in the memory. In the event of a power outage, the fan control apparatus 230 may be configured to illuminate the visual indicators 238A, 238B to indicate feedback information about the motor of the ceiling fan 210 and/or the light source 216 prior to the power outage.

The fan control apparatus 230 may also include an internal air gap switch (not shown) electrically coupled in series between the AC power source 202 and the ceiling fan 210. The air gap switch may be actuated (e.g., opened) in response to actuation of the air gap switch actuator 239 (e.g., pulling the air gap switch actuator out of the fan control apparatus 230).

The remote control 240 may be, for example, a battery-powered RF remote control, and may be configured to transmit the RF signal 104 including commands for controlling the ceiling fan 210 in response to actuation of a plurality of buttons (e.g., an on button 242, an off button 244, an up button 245, a down button 246, and a preset button 248). During normal operation of the load control system 200, the remote control device 240 may be configured to send a message to the fan interface device 250 via the RF signal 106 in response to actuation of the on button 242, the off button 244, the up button 245, the down button 246, and/or the preset button 248, and the fan interface device 250 may be configured to send a message to the ceiling fan 210 via the RF signal 104 in response to a message received from the remote control device 240 that includes a command for controlling the ceiling fan 210. The motor control of the ceiling fan 210 may be configured to turn the motor on and off, respectively, in response to actuation of the on button 242 and the off button 244 of the remote control 240. The motor control of the ceiling fan 210 may be configured to increase and decrease the rotational speed of the motor by a predetermined amount in response to actuation of the up button 245 and the down button 246, respectively. The motor control of the ceiling fan 210 may be configured to adjust the rotational speed of the motor to a preset rotational speed in response to actuation of the preset button 248. The motor control of the ceiling fan 210 may also be configured to adjust the direction of rotation of the motor in response to actuation of one of the buttons 242-248 of the remote control 240.

The system controller 160 may operate as, for example, a central processor or a load controller, and may be configured to transmit digital messages to and from the control devices (e.g., the fan control device 230 and the remote control device 240) of the load control system via the RF signal 104. The system controller 160 may be configured to be coupled to a network 162, such as a wireless or wired Local Area Network (LAN), for example, for accessing the internet. The system controller 160 may be wirelessly connected to a network. The system controller 160 may be coupled to a network via a network communication bus (e.g., an ethernet communication link). The system controller 160 may be configured to communicate with one or more network devices (not shown) (e.g., mobile devices, such as personal computing devices and/or wearable wireless devices) via a network. An example of a LOAD CONTROL system operable to communicate with mobile and/or network devices on a network is described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. patent No. 10,271,407 entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET connection with internet connection published 23, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The system controller 160 may be configured to receive commands for controlling the motor of the ceiling fan 216 and/or the light source 216 from the network device via the network 162. The system controller 160 may be configured to send a message to the fan interface device 250 via the RF signal 106 in response to a message comprising a command received from the network device, and the fan interface device 250 may be configured to send a command to the ceiling fan via the RF signal 104 for controlling the motor and/or the light source 216 of the ceiling fan 210. The system controller 160 may be configured to store in memory a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and/or a communication address) of each control device (e.g., one or more of the fan control device 230, the remote control device 240, and/or the fan interface device 250) of the load control system 200 associated with the fan interface device 250, and may use the unique identifier to communicate with the control devices via the RF signal 106. The system controller 160 may be configured to receive one or more messages including operational settings of the ceiling fan 210 and store the operational settings of the ceiling fan 210 in memory. In the event that the ceiling fan 210 is replaced with a new ceiling fan, the system controller 210 may be configured to send the operating settings of the old ceiling fan to the new ceiling fan via the fan interface apparatus 250.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary load interface device 150 (e.g., a fan interface device 250) that may be deployed as part of the load control system 100 shown in fig. 1. Load interface device 150 may include control circuitry 310, which may include one or more of a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a microcontroller, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or any suitable controller or processing device.

The load interface device 150 may include a first communication circuit 312 and a second communication circuit 314. The first communication circuit 312 and the second communication circuit 314 may each include wireless communication circuits, such as, for example, a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver for transmitting and/or receiving RF signals, an RF transmitter for transmitting RF signals, an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, or an Infrared (IR) transmitter and/or receiver for transmitting and/or receiving IR signals, such as coupled to an antenna. The load interface device 150 may be configured to transmit an RF signal (e.g., RF signal 104) to the electrical load device 110 (e.g., ceiling fan 210) via the first communication circuit 312 on the first wireless communication link using a first wireless communication protocol (e.g., a proprietary protocol of the ceiling fan manufacturer). The load interface device 150 may also be configured to communicate (e.g., send and receive) RF signals (e.g., RF signals 106) with other control devices of the load control system (e.g., the load control system 100) via a second wireless communication link using a second wireless communication protocol (e.g., a standard wireless communication protocol and/or a proprietary wireless communication protocol for transmitting RF signals in the load control system 100). For example, the load interface device 150 may receive messages from control devices of the load control system (e.g., the electrical load control device 130, the remote control device 140, and/or the system controller 160) via the second communication circuit 314, and send messages including commands for controlling the electrical load device 110 via the first communication circuit 312 in response to messages received from the control devices of the load control system via the second communication circuit 314.

The load interface device 150 may include actuators 316 (e.g., momentary switches) that may be actuated to receive user input in response to actuation of one or more buttons (e.g., button 222). The control circuit 310 may be configured to send a message including a command for controlling the electrical load device 110 via the first communication circuit 312 in response to actuation of one or more of the actuators 316. The load interface device 150 may be configured to send messages including commands for controlling the electrical load device 110 (e.g., turning on and off a motor of a ceiling fan), increase and decrease the rotational speed of the motor by a predetermined amount, and/or adjust the direction of rotation. The control circuit 310 may be configured to send messages including commands for controlling the electrical load device 110 to turn on and off the light sources, and/or adjust the brightness level and/or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light sources.

The load interface device 150 may include one or more visual indicators 318 for providing an indication of feedback information about the electrical load device 110. The load interface device 150 may be configured to receive a message including feedback information from the electrical load device 110 via the first communication circuit 312. For example, the feedback information may indicate a status, rotational speed, rotational direction, and/or other operational characteristics of the motor and/or a brightness level and/or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light source included in the electrical load device 110.

The load interface device 150 may include a memory 320 for storing operating data of the control device. The memory 320 may be implemented as an external Integrated Circuit (IC) or as an internal circuit of the control circuit 310. The load interface device 150 may be configured to store in memory a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number and/or a communication address) for each control device of the load control system associated with the load interface device 150 and may use the unique identifiers to communicate with the control devices via the second communication circuit 214. The control circuit 210 may be configured to store feedback information for the ceiling fan in memory. In the event of a power outage, the control circuit 210 may be configured to send a message including a command for controlling the ceiling fan 110 via the first communication circuit 212 based on feedback information received prior to the power outage and/or stored in the memory 220 (e.g., based on previous status, rotational speed, rotational direction, light level, color, etc.). The load interface device 150 may be configured to store operational settings of the ceiling fan in memory. In the event that the electrical load device 110 is replaced with a new electrical load device 110, the control circuit 310 may be configured to send one or more messages to the new electrical load device 110 via the first communication circuit 312, including operational settings of the electrical load device 110.

The load interface device 150 may also include a power supply 322. The power supply 322 may be configured to receive a source voltage V via two electrical connections 324, for example, from an Alternating Current (AC) power source and/or a Direct Current (DC) power source _S . For example, the two electrical connections 324 may include two blades configured to be inserted into receptacles of an electrical receptacle (e.g., electrical receptacle 170) for receiving an AC supply voltage from an AC power source. The power supply 322 may be configured to supply a voltage V from a source voltage _S Generating a DC supply voltage V _CC And provides a DC power supply voltage V _CC To power the control circuit 310 and other circuitry of the load interface device 150.

Claims

1. A load control system for an electrical load device, the load control system comprising:

an electrical load device for receiving messages via wireless signals using a first wireless communication protocol;

an electrical load control device for transmitting messages via wireless signals using a second wireless communication protocol; and

load interface means for:

receiving a first message from the electrical load control device via the wireless signal using the second wireless communication protocol; and is also provided with

In response to receiving the first message, a second message is sent to the electrical load device via the wireless signal using the first wireless communication protocol, the second message including a command for controlling the electrical load device.

2. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the electrical load control device comprises one or more buttons, the electrical load control device to send the first message in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons.

3. The load control system of claim 2, wherein the electrical load control device comprises an electrical load control device coupled in a series electrical connection between an Alternating Current (AC) power source and the electrical load device.

4. The load control system of claim 3, wherein the electrical load control device comprises an air gap switch configured to open to disconnect the electrical load from the AC power source.

5. The load control system of claim 2, further comprising a proprietary remote control device comprising one or more user-actuatable buttons, the proprietary remote control device to send the first message using the first wireless communication protocol in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons.

6. The load control system of claim 5, further comprising:

a remote control device comprising one or more user-actuatable buttons, the remote control device for sending a second message to the load interface device via wireless signals using the second wireless communication protocol in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons of the remote control device.

7. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load interface device is to receive a third message from the electrical load device via a wireless signal using the first wireless communication protocol, the third message comprising feedback information about the electrical load device.

8. The load control system of claim 7, wherein the load interface device is operable to store the received feedback information in a memory.

9. The load control system of claim 8, wherein the load interface device is to send a fourth message to the electrical load device via the wireless signal using the first wireless communication protocol in the event of a power outage, the fourth message comprising a command to control the electrical load device according to feedback information stored in the memory.

10. The load control system of claim 7, further comprising:

one or more visual indicators;

wherein the load interface device is configured to illuminate the one or more visual indicators to provide an indication of the feedback information.

11. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load interface device is operable to store an operational setting of the electrical load device.

12. The load control system of claim 11, wherein the load interface device is to send a third message to the electrical load device via the wireless signal using the first wireless communication protocol, the third message comprising configuration information to adjust the operational settings of the electrical load device.

13. The load control system of claim 11, wherein in the event that an existing electrical load device is replaced with a new electrical load device, the load interface device is to send a third message to the electrical load device via the wireless signal using the first wireless communication protocol, the third message comprising the operational setting of the existing electrical load device.

14. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load interface device is to store a unique identifier associated with the electrical load device in a memory and include the unique identifier of the electrical load device in the second message sent to the electrical load device.

15. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load control device comprises a system controller to send the first message in response to a third message received via a network.

16. The load control system of claim 1, wherein the load interface device comprises one or more buttons, the load interface device to send a third message to the electrical load device in response to actuation of one or more of the buttons of the load interface device.