HK40006380B - Commissioning load control systems - Google Patents

Description

Debugging load control system

The application is a divisional application of applications with the application number of PCT/US2014/019176, the international application date of 2014 of 28 months and 2, X and the invention name of 'debugging load control system', which enter the Chinese national stage at 14 months and 10 months in 2015.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. patent application No.13/830,237 entitled "debug LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMS" filed on 3, 14, 2013.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to commissioning load control systems.

Background

For example, a user environment such as a home or office building may be configured to use various types of load control systems. A lighting control system may be used to control lighting loads in a user environment. A motorized window treatment control system may be used to control the natural light provided to the user's environment. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems may be used to control the temperature in a user's 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 a digital message that includes load control instructions for controlling electrical loads from one or more 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, or Light Emitting Diode (LED) drivers), motorized window treatments, temperature control devices (e.g., thermostats), AC plug-in load control devices, and so forth. Examples of control-source devices may include remote control devices, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, temperature sensors, and the like. In order to enable the control-target device to recognize the instructions received from the control-source device, the control-target device and the control-source device may be associated with each other such that the control-target device may recognize the digital messages received from the control-source target.

Fig. 1 depicts a prior art user environment in which a control-source device and a control-target device may be associated. As shown in FIG. 1, the user environment may include rooms 102, 104, and 106. Each of the rooms 102, 104, and 106 may include a control-target device capable of direct control of an electrical load. For example, the rooms 102, 104, and 106 may include lighting control devices 106, 136, and 146 (e.g., ballasts, LED drivers, or dimmer switches) that are capable of directly controlling the amount of power provided to the lighting loads 118, 140, and 150, respectively. The room 102 may include additional control-target devices, such as a motorized window treatment 120 for directly controlling the covering material 122 (e.g., via an electric motor), an AC plug-in load control device 130 for directly controlling a plug-in electrical load (e.g., a light fixture 132 plugged into the device 130), and a temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat 134) for directly controlling an HVAC system.

Rooms 102, 104, and 106 may also include control-source devices capable of indirect control of electrical loads by transmitting digital messages, which may include load control instructions, to control-target devices. The control-source devices in rooms 102, 104, and 106 may include remote control devices 124, 142, and 152, which may be mounted to a wall and may send digital messages to lighting control devices 106, 136, and 146, respectively. The lighting control devices 106, 136, and 146 may control the amount of power provided to the lighting loads 118, 140, and 150, respectively, based on digital messages received from the remote control devices 124, 142, and 152. The room 102 may include additional control-source devices, such as occupancy sensors 110 and daylight sensors 108. The occupancy sensor 110 may send a digital message to the control-target device based on detection of movement or occupancy within the area that it is able to observe. The daylight sensor 108 may send a digital message to the control-target device based on the detection of natural light within the area that it is able to view.

As indicated above, each of the control-target devices may have to be associated with one or more control-source devices before being able to receive digital messages, which may include load-control instructions, from the control-source devices in order to control the corresponding electrical loads. The control-source device and the control-target device may be associated using a button association method 200 illustrated by the block diagram in fig. 2A. As shown in fig. 2A, the association method 200 may begin at 202, and the user 128 (shown in fig. 1) may actuate a button on the control-target device at 204 to cause the control-target device to enter an association mode. For example, the user 128 may actuate the buttons 112, 138, and 148 on the lighting devices 106, 136, and 146, respectively, to place the lighting control devices 106, 136, and 146 into an associated mode. Once the control-target device is in the association mode, a button on the control-source device may be actuated at 206 to associate the control-source device with the control-target device. For example, the user 128 may actuate a button 126 on the remote control device 124 to associate the remote control device 124 with the lighting control device 106. The user 128 may actuate the button 116 on the occupancy sensor 110 and the button 114 on the daylight sensor 108 to also associate each device with the lighting control device 106. The buttons 144 and 154 may be actuated on the remote control devices 142 and 152 to associate the remote control devices 142 and 152 with the lighting control devices 136 and 146, respectively. The user 128 may also actuate buttons on the AC plug-in load control device 130 or the temperature control device (e.g., thermostat 134) to associate these control-target devices with the control-source devices. After the control-source device is associated with the control-target device at 206, the control-target device may recognize a digital message from the control-source device that may include load control instructions, and the user 128 may use the control-source device instructing the associated control-target device to control the amount of power provided to the electrical load at 208. The association method 200 may end at 210.

Fig. 2B illustrates another prior art method 220 for associating a control-source device with a control-target device. As shown in fig. 2B, the association method 220 may begin at 222. At 224, each of the control-source devices and the control-target devices in the load control system may be identified by the user 128. At 226, the user 128 may enter each association between a control-source device and a control-target device into a computer, such as the computer 158 (shown in FIG. 1). At 228, each of the control-target devices may be programmed by the user 128 via the computer 158 to be able to recognize digital messages from the associated control-source device that may include load control instructions. For example, the computer 158 may send a serial number of the associated control-source device to the control-target device so that the control-target device may recognize the digital message from the control-source device. For example, the computer 158 may program the control-target device via the load control device controller 156. Once the control-target device is programmed at 228, the control-target device may recognize the digital message from the control-source device and the user 128 may use the control-source device to instruct the associated control-target device to control the amount of power provided to the electrical load at 230. The association method 220 may end at 232.

The association methods 200 and 220 require knowledge of each of the associated load control devices in the system. Furthermore, the association method 200 requires physical actuation of buttons on each control-source device and each control-target device to perform the association. Thus, current association methods can be time consuming and inconvenient.

Current associations may also be difficult to reconfigure once they have been established. For example, to remove an association between a control-source device and a control-target device, each control-target device may be placed in a default mode, which may cause the control-target device to remove each association stored in the control-target device. This may enable a user to re-establish each association between a control-source device and a control-target device when a single association is reconfigured or removed.

Disclosure of Invention

A load control system may include a load control device for controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load. The load control device may include a control-source device and a control-target device. The control-target device is capable of controlling an amount of power provided to the electrical load based on the digital message received from the control-source device. The digital message may include a load control instruction or another indication that causes the control-target device to determine a load control instruction for controlling an electrical load.

The load control system may include a user device to discover the load control device when the load control device is within an established range associated with the user device. The user equipment may discover the control-target device and/or the control-source device. The user equipment may discover the load control devices by broadcasting a discovery message within the established range and receiving a response to the discovery message from load control devices within the established range. The discovery message may include an indication of the type of device that may respond to the discovery message. The range within which the discovery message may be sent may be adjusted based on the transmission power of the user equipment. The established range may be determined by ignoring any information received from load control devices outside the established range.

The user device may be used to associate the control-source device with the control-target device. The association may enable the control-target device to recognize digital messages from the associated control-source device and/or control an amount of power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device. The association may be performed and/or stored at the user equipment. The user device may associate the control-source device with the control-target device by sending the association information or control-source device identifier to the control-target device to enable the control-target device to recognize and/or execute a digital message from the associated control-source device. The user device may disassociate each control-source device from the control-target device by instructing the control-target device to remove the control-source device's identifier from storage.

The communication between the user equipment and the load control device may be performed via a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module may be capable of communicating with the user equipment via one communication channel and with the load control device via another communication channel. The established range for discovering and/or associating load control devices may correspond to a transfer power of the wireless communication module. The wireless communication module may adjust the transmitted power to discover load control devices within the established range.

Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts an example prior art environment for associating load control devices.

Fig. 2A and 2B are simplified flow diagrams of an example prior art process for associating load control devices.

Fig. 3A and 3B are perspective views of an example environment for associating load control devices.

Fig. 4 is a diagram depicting example ranges for performing discovery and/or association of load control devices.

FIG. 5 depicts an example Graphical User Interface (GUI) that may be used to discover and configure load control devices.

Fig. 6 is a simplified flow diagram depicting an example method for discovering and configuring load control devices.

FIG. 7 depicts an example GUI for association and/or disassociation of load control devices.

Fig. 8A is a simplified flow diagram depicting an example method for discovery and association of load control devices.

Fig. 8B is a simplified flowchart depicting an example method for disassociation of a load control device.

FIG. 9 depicts an example GUI for performing discovery, association, and/or disassociation of load control devices using device types.

Fig. 10 is a simplified flow diagram depicting an example method for performing discovery, association, and/or disassociation of a load control device using a device type.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram depicting an example user device for performing discovery, association, and/or disassociation of a load control device.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram depicting an example communication module for performing discovery, association, and/or disassociation of load control devices.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram depicting an example control-target device.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram depicting an example control-source device.

Detailed Description

Fig. 3A depicts a representative environment for associating control devices that may include a control-source device and a control-target device. When the control-target device is associated with the control-source device, the control-target device may respond to the control-source device. The control device may be both a control target and a control source device. As shown in fig. 3A, rooms 302, 304, and 306 may be installed with one or more control-target devices, such as load control devices for controlling electrical loads within the rooms or buildings. Each load control device may be capable of directly controlling the amount of power provided to the electrical load and may be controlled by the control source device. Example control-target devices may include lighting control devices 308, 338, and 346 (e.g., ballasts, LED drivers, or dimmer switches) for controlling the amount of power provided to the lighting loads 310, 340, and 348, respectively, a motorized window treatment 320 having a motor drive unit (e.g., including a motor) for controlling the position of the covering material 322, a temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat 336) for controlling an HVAC system, and/or an AC plug-in load control device 324 for controlling a plug-in electrical load, such as a floor lamp 326, a desk lamp, or another electrical device, for example, plug-in load control device 324.

The control-source device may indirectly control the amount of power provided to the electrical load by transmitting digital messages to the control-target device. The digital message may include a control instruction (e.g., a load control instruction) or another indication that causes the control-target device to determine a load control instruction for controlling the electrical load. Example control-source devices may include user device 328, remote control devices 316, 342, and 354, occupancy sensor 312, and/or daylight sensor 350. The user device 328 may comprise a wired or wireless device. Examples of the user device 328 may include a wireless phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and so forth. The control-source device may also include a load control device, such as a dimmer switch, an electronic switch, or the like. The remote control devices 316, 342, and 354 may be wireless devices capable of controlling the control-target devices via wireless communication. Remote control devices 316, 342, and 354 may be attached to or detached from the wall.

The control-target device and the control-source device may be associated to enable communication of digital messages for controlling the electrical load. The user device 328 may be used to associate the control-source device and the control-target device to enable communication of digital messages. To associate a control-source device with a control-target device, the user device 328 may discover one or more control-target devices within its area. The user device 328 may establish a range 334 in which it may perform discovery. The user device 328 may transmit a discovery message, such as a broadcast message, for example, within the established range 334. The user device 328 may receive a response to the discovery message from the control-target device capable of performing two-way communication and may associate the discovered device with the control-source device.

As shown in fig. 3A, user device 328 may transmit a discovery message within range 334 that may be received by control-target devices, such as lighting control device 308, motorized window treatments 320, and/or AC plug-in load control device 324. The discovery message may be received by a control-source device, such as remote control device 316 and/or occupancy sensor 312. The discovery message may be a broadcast message that may be broadcast within the established range 334. The lighting control device 308, the motorized window treatment 320, the AC plug-in load control device 324, the remote control device 316, and/or the occupancy sensor 312 may be two-way communication devices that may receive a discovery message and may respond to the discovery message by sending a response message. The response message may include information identifying the load control device from which the response message was transmitted. The response message may indicate the type of device responding, an identifier (e.g., a serial number) that may indicate the device type, a link address for communicating directly with the device, whether the device is a control-target device or a control-source device, and/or other information about the device.

The remote control device 316 and/or the occupancy sensor 312 may be one-way communication devices that are unable to receive discovery messages from the user device 328. To discover the remote control device 316, the user 332 may actuate a button 318 on the remote control device 316, which causes the remote control device 316 to send discovery information to the user device 328. To trigger the transmission of discovery information at the occupancy sensor 312, the user 332 may actuate the button 314 on the occupancy sensor 312. The occupancy sensor 312 may be equipped with a sensor that may recognize a laser signal transmitted from a laser (not shown) held by the user 332. The detection of the laser signal by the sensor may trigger the transmission of discovery information. For example, the discovery information may indicate similar information as indicated by the response message, such as a device type, a link address, a device identifier (e.g., a serial number), whether the device is a control-target device or a control-source device, and/or other information about the device.

The user devices 328 may communicate with the load control devices via one or more communication modules, such as the communication module 330. As shown in fig. 3, the communication module 330 may be included in the user device 328 or may be external to the user device 328 and the load control device. The user device 328 may perform wired or wireless communication with the communication module 330. The communication module 330 may communicate with the load control devices via wireless communication. An example wireless communication channel may includeZIGBEE、Such as CLEAR CONNECT^TMA dedicated communication protocol, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. The communication module 330 may communicate with the user device 328 and one or more load control devices via different communication channels. For example, the communication module 330 may be viaPerforms communication with the user device 328, and may be viaOr such as CLEAR CONNECT^TMCommunicate with one or more load control devices.

The user device 328 may communicate with a central processing device (not shown), such as a server, for example, via the internet 364. The user device 328 may send and/or receive association information to and/or from the central processing device. The user device 328 may receive firmware or other updates from the central processing device. The user device 328 may receive a firmware update for the load control device and send the firmware update to the load control device.

A plurality of communication modules, such as communication modules 330, 366, may be used to communicate with the load control devices. The communication modules may be installed throughout the rooms 302, 304, and/or 306. The user device 328 may discover and/or perform associations with the communication modules 328, 366. The user device 328 may send a broadcast message to discover the communication modules 328, 366. Identifiers of the communication modules 328, 366 may be stored at the user device 328 to detect communications from the communication modules 328, 366. An identifier of the user device 328 may be stored at the communication module 328, 366 to detect communications from the user device 328.

The user device 328 may discover and/or associate load control devices within the established range of each communication module. For example, the user device 328 may be associated with the communication module 330 and use the communication module 330 to discover and/or associate load control devices in the room 302. The load control devices in the room 304 may be outside the established range 334. The user device 328 may be associated with the communication module 366 and may use the communication module 366 to discover and/or associate load control devices in the room 304.

The communication modules 330, 366 may be used at the same time to transmit information to and/or receive information from one or more load control devices. For example, the communication module 330 may be used to send association information to one or more load control devices within the established range 334, while the communication module 366 sends association information or firmware updates to one or more load control devices within its established range.

The load control devices discovered within the established range 334 may be associated with each other to enable communication of load control information between the load control devices. The user device 328 may be used to associate a discovered control-source device (such as the remote control device 316) with a discovered control-target device (such as the lighting control device 308) to enable digital messages to be sent from the control-source device to the control-target device. The user device 328 may store an association between the control-source device and the control-target device. The association information may be stored locally and/or transmitted to a central processing device for storage, for example, via the internet 364. The stored association may be used to configure the lighting loads in the rooms 302, 304, and/or 306 from which the association was created. The stored associations may also be used to configure loads in other rooms or lighting systems in another location, which may have the same or similar load control device configurations as in rooms 302, 304, and/or 306. For example, the associations stored for the room 302 may be used as templates for other rooms having similar load control device configurations as the room 302. The user device 328 may find a similar configuration to the room 302 in another room or location and may perform the same association with the type of device performed in the room 302.

The user device 328 may communicate the association information to the control-target device so that the control-target device can recognize the digital message received from the load control device. The association may enable the control-target device to execute load control instructions received in the digital message or otherwise determined from the indication in the digital message. The user device 328 may send the identifier of the control-source device to the control-target device with which the control-source device is associated for storage at the control-target device. The control-target device may obtain association information from other devices in the load control system, such as by retrieving an identifier of the control-source device, for example, from a central processing device. Each control-target device may store an identifier of the associated control-source device such that the control-target device may recognize digital messages received from the associated control-source device.

The load control devices in the room 304 and the room 306 that are outside the established range 334 may not receive discovery messages from the user device 328. As shown in fig. 3B, the established range 334 is configurable. For example, range 334 may be adjusted to a larger range 358. Using the established greater range 358, the user device may discover and/or associate with the temperature control device 336, the lighting control device 346, the daylight sensor 350, and/or the remote control device 354. Although not shown in fig. 3B, the established range 334 may also be adjusted to a smaller range, which may include fewer load control devices. The user 332 may adjust the range 334 or move the range 334 to another location to discover load control devices within a certain area based on the size of the room or the location of various load control devices. User 332 may also use another communication module, such as communication module 366, to discover and/or associate load control devices outside of established range 334.

The user device 328 may discover the temperature control device 336, the lighting control device 346, the daylight sensor 350, and/or the remote control device 254 by transmitting discovery messages within the established range 358. Remote control device 354 and/or daylight sensor 350 may be one-way communication devices that may not receive discovery messages from user device 328. To discover remote control device 354, user 332 may actuate button 356 to cause remote control device 354 to send discovery information to user device 328. To trigger transmission of discovery information at daylight sensor 350, user 332 may actuate button 352 on daylight sensor 350 or transmit a laser signal that is recognizable by daylight sensor 350.

The lighting control device 338 and the remote control device 342 may be outside the established range 358 and may not receive discovery messages transmitted within the established range 358. The lighting control device 338 and the remote control device 342 may communicate discovery information to the user device 328 because the lighting control device 338 and the remote control device 342 may have a larger transmission range than the range 358. To transmit discovery information from remote control device 342, the user may actuate button 344. To transmit discovery information from the lighting control device 338, the user may actuate a button (not shown) on the lighting control device 338. The communication module 366 may also be used to communicate discovery information from the lighting control device 338 and the remote control device 342, such as where the lighting control device 338 and the remote control device 342 are within an established range of the communication module 366. The communication module 366 may transmit information to the user device 328 when the user device 328 is within the established range of the communication module 366.

The user device 328 may discover existing associations. The user device 328 may receive association information from a central processing device via the internet 364, the broadcast controller 360, or other device capable of communicating with one or more load control devices, or from the load control devices themselves. The user device 328 may send a request for the association information. For example, the user device 328 may send a request to a control-target device that makes a request to one or more control-source devices with which the control-target device is associated. The user device 328 may make a request for an identifier of a particular control-source device to determine whether a control-target device is associated with the particular control-source device.

Once a control-source device is associated with a control-target device, the control-source device may send a digital message to the control-target device to cause the control-target device to control the amount of power provided to the electrical load. For example, the associated remote control device 316 may instruct the lighting control device 308 to increase or decrease the lighting level of the lighting load 310, instruct the motorized window treatment 320 to increase or decrease the covering material 322, instruct the AC insertion load control device 324 to increase or decrease the lighting level of the floor lights 326, and/or instruct the temperature control device 336 to increase or decrease the temperature in one or more rooms. The associated occupancy sensor 312 may send similar instructions to the control-target device based on detection of movement or occupancy within the room 302. The daylight sensor 350 may send a similar digital message to the control-target device based on the detection of natural light within the room 306. The user device 328 may be used to transmit digital messages between the control-source device and the control-target device, or the digital messages may be transmitted independently of the user device 328 (e.g., via direct communication between the control-source device and the control-target device).

The user device 328 and/or the communication module 330 may communicate with the load control device via one or more intermediate devices. For example, the user device 328 and/or the communication module 330 may communicate with the lighting control devices 308, 338, and/or 346 via a lighting control device controller 362 (e.g., a ballast controller). The lighting control device controller 362 may communicate wirelessly with the user device 328 and/or the communication module 330. The lighting control device controller 362 may communicate with the lighting control devices 308, 338, and/or 346 via wired or wireless communication.

The user device 328 and/or the communication module 330 may communicate with the load control devices via the broadcast controller 360. The broadcast controller 360 may include a wireless communication device capable of broadcasting and/or receiving information from one or more load control devices within wireless range of the broadcast controller 360. The broadcast controller 360 may include a wireless communication device capable of transmitting and/or receiving information to and/or from the user device 328 and/or the communication module 330 when the user device 328 and/or the communication module 330 is within its wireless range. The user device 328 may send information to the broadcast controller 360 to configure the broadcast controller 360 (e.g., configure one or more groups of load control devices with which the broadcast controller 360 may perform communications, synchronize time on the broadcast controller 360, etc.). When the user device 328 sends information to and receives information from the broadcast controller 360, the broadcast controller 360 may be configured to and/or may communicate with load control devices via the user device 328 and/or the communication module 330 without a separate connection to the internet 364. BROADCAST CONTROLLER 360 is described in more detail in U.S. non-provisional patent application No.13/725,105, commonly assigned entitled "LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING INDEPENDENTLY-CONTROLLED UNITS response TO a BROADCAST CONTROLLER," filed on 21/12/2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The user device 328 may discover and/or perform the association with the broadcast controller 360. The user device 328 may transmit a broadcast message to discover broadcast controller devices within the established range 334, 358. An identifier of the broadcast controller 360 may be stored at the user device 328 to detect communications from the broadcast controller 360. An identifier of the user device 328 may be stored at the broadcast controller 360 to detect communications from the user device 328. The user device 328 may discover both the load control device and the broadcast controller 360.

The user device 328 and/or the communication module 330 may discover load control devices within the established ranges 334, 358 and communicate an indication of the discovered devices to the broadcast controller 360 to perform association and/or transmit instructions for the load control devices. The broadcast controller 360 may determine whether the discovered load control device is within range of the broadcast controller 360 by attempting to associate the discovered load control device with another load control device. If the association fails, the discovered device may be out of wireless range of the broadcast controller 360. If the association is successful, broadcast controller 360 may receive a response message from the associated device and broadcast controller 360 may know that the discovered device is within its wireless range and is associated. In another example, the user device 328 may perform the association of load control devices and send the association information to the broadcast controller 360 to control the associated load control devices.

The broadcast controller 360 may control one or more load control devices within the broadcast control group. The broadcast control group may include one or more load control devices of the identified device type, within a defined location, or sharing another group characteristic. The load control devices in the broadcast control group may be simultaneously controlled by the broadcast controller 360. Load control devices included in a broadcast control group may receive a group identifier and store the group identifier so that they may respond to digital messages sent to the group and including the group identifier. For example, the broadcast controller 360 may create a lighting control device group that includes the lighting control devices 308, 338, and 346. The broadcast controller 360 may instruct the lighting control devices 308, 338, and 346 in the lighting control group to turn on or off.

The user equipment 328 may be used to configure the broadcast control group. The user device 328 may receive discovery information from load control devices within the established range 334, 358 and may use the discovery information to configure a broadcast control group. For example, the user device 328 may configure a group of devices having the same device type. The broadcast control group may also be configured based on the association information. For example, a group of load control devices associated with the remote control device 316 may be included in the broadcast control group. The broadcast control group may be sent to the broadcast controller 360 to send digital messages to the load control devices in the group (e.g., directly or via the user device 328 and/or the communication module 330).

Although fig. 3A and 3B illustrate a single user device 328, multiple user devices may be implemented to perform discovery and/or association of load control devices. Each of the user devices may be used by a different user. The user devices may communicate with each other (e.g., directly or via the internet 364) to provide updated association information in real-time. The user device 328 may display the association information received from one or more other devices. The user device 328 may discover when the established range 334, 358 overlaps with the established range of another user device and may indicate the overlap to the user 332. The indication may be provided such that the user 332 may move to another location or adjust the established ranges 334, 358 to avoid discovering and/or associating devices within the same area as another user.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart depicting an example range for performing discovery and/or association of load control devices. As shown in fig. 4, the established range 408 is adjustable. The user 402 may increase or decrease the established range 408 (e.g., between-3 dBm and-9 dBm) to discover and/or associate load control devices within a larger or smaller area. The established range 408 may be measured according to the communication module 406, the user device 404, or the user 402. For example, the established range 408 may be determined based on a distance that the communication module 406 and/or the user device 404 are configured to transmit and/or receive information. The established range 408 may be determined by adding or subtracting from the distance that the communication module 406 and/or the user device 404 are configured to transmit and/or receive information. To determine the established range 408 from the user 402, a distance between the user 402 and the user device 404 and/or a distance between the user 402 and the communication module 406 may be calculated. The distance from the user 402 may be added to or subtracted from the distance the communication module 406 and/or the user device 404 is configured to transmit. To determine the established range 408 from the user device 404, the distance between the user device 404 and the communication module 406 may be added to or subtracted from the distance the communication module 406 is configured to transmit.

The range 408 may be established by adjusting the signal strength of a signal transmitted by the communication module 406 or the user device 404. For example, the signal strength may increase or decrease between-9 dBm and-3 dBm. The user device 404 may broadcast discovery messages to and receive response messages from load control devices within the established range 408. The user device 404 may determine load control devices within the established range based on the response messages received from the load control devices.

The user device 404 may establish the range 408 by ignoring information received from load control devices outside the range 408. For example, the communication module 406 or the user equipment 404 may have a static signal strength of-3 dBm and the established range 408 may be-9 dBm. In this case, the user device 404 may broadcast a discovery message to and receive a response message from load control devices within the area of-3 dBm. The user device 404 may determine the distance of each load control device based on the signal strength of the response message received from the load control device. When the received signal strength of the load control device is below the threshold, the user device 404 may determine that the load control device is outside of the established range 408 (e.g., between-9 dBm and-3 dBm) and may ignore any information received from the load control device.

Fig. 5 depicts an example Graphical User Interface (GUI)502 that may be used to discover and/or identify load control devices. A drop-down box or other button (not shown) on GUI 502 may be used to establish discovery/association scope 506. The established range 506 may be configurable based on the transmit power of the communication module. For example, if the communication module is capable of transmitting and/or receiving transmissions over distances of up to 20 feet, the discovery/association range 506 may be established incrementally between 0 and 20 feet.

The discovery button 504 may be selected to discover load control devices within the established range 506. When the discovery button 504 is selected, the user device may perform discovery of load control devices within the established range 506. The discovered devices within the established range 506 may be displayed for selection, configuration, and/or association by the user. The discovered device may be displayed to indicate the device type and/or whether the device is a control-target device 510 or a control-source device 512. As shown in fig. 5, the discovered devices may include a remote control device 514, a remote control device 516, a daylight sensor 518, an occupancy sensor 520, a dimmer switch 522, a dimmer switch 524, a thermostat 526, an AC plug-in load control device 528, and/or a motorized window treatment 530. The GUI 502 may display the discovered load control devices as a control-source device 512 and a control-target device 510.

The discovered load control devices may be identified for configuration and/or association. For example, upon selection of the control-target device 510 and/or an identification button (not shown) on the GUI 502, the user device may transmit an identification message to the selected control-target device 510 instructing the control-target device 510 to identify itself to the user. The control-target device 510 may identify itself visually or audibly. The dimmer switch 522 and the dimmer switch 524 may identify themselves by blinking the corresponding lighting fixture. The AC plug-in load control device 528 may identify itself via a display, indicator light, or device plugged into the AC load control device 528. For example, the AC plug-in load control device 528 may flash a light fixture of a light plugged into the AC plug-in load control device 528, flash an indicator light on a device plugged into the AC plug-in load control device 528, and so on. The thermostat 526 may identify itself by flashing an indicator light, providing a message on a display of the thermostat 526, and/or providing identification via an HVAC system controlled by the thermostat 526. The thermostat 526 may provide an indication via the HVAC system by turning the HVAC system on or off, increasing or decreasing the temperature of the HVAC system, and so forth. The motorized window treatment 530 may identify itself by the corresponding covering material it controls. For example, the motorized window treatment 530 may raise or lower the covering material a predetermined distance, cause the covering material to swing, or cause the covering material to tilt.

Discovered control-source devices 512 may be identified for configuration and/or association. If control-source device 512 is capable of receiving the identification message, control-source device 512 may identify itself by responding to the identification message. For example, upon selection of a control-source device 512 and/or an identification button (not shown) on GUI 502, the user device may transmit an identification message to the selected control-source device 512 instructing control-source device 512 to identify itself to the user. The control-source device 512 may identify itself visually or audibly. For example, the remote control device 514, the remote control device 516, the daylight sensor 518, and/or the occupancy sensor 520 may identify themselves by flashing respective indicator lights located on each device.

One or more fields associated with the discovered load control devices may be configured. For example, the load control devices may be renamed. Control-source devices 512, such as remote control device 514 and/or remote control device 516, may be renamed to better identify or differentiate. Similarly, control-target devices 510, such as dimmer switch 522 and/or dimmer switch 524, may be renamed to better identify or differentiate. Each load control device may be selected to configure other fields associated therewith, such as the device type, the link address used to communicate with the device, whether the device is a control-target device or a control-source device, and/or other information about the device.

GUI 502 may be used to create a common interface across load control systems and/or load control devices. The GUI 502 may display the control-source device 512 and/or the control-target device 510 based on one or more parameters associated with the devices. The GUI 502 may display the control-source device 512 and/or the control-target device 510 based on the location of the devices. For example, the GUI 502 may display the control-source device 512 and/or the control-target device 510 for a room or a subset of rooms, a floor or a subset of floors, a region or a subset of regions, and so forth. The GUI 502 may display the control-source device 512 and/or the control-target device 510 based on the device type. For example, the GUI 502 may display the control-target device 510 or the control-source device 512 independently. The GUI 502 may independently display lighting control devices, motorized window treatments, thermostats, AC plug-in load control devices, and the like.

Fig. 6 is a simplified block diagram depicting an example method 600 for discovery and identification of load control devices. As shown in fig. 6, method 600 may begin at 602. At 604, a range may be established in which the load control device may be discovered. For example, the range may be established by configuring the wireless signal to cover the defined range or by ignoring information obtained from outside the defined range. At 606, load control devices within the established range may be discovered. At 608, the discovered devices may be selected for identification and/or configuration. The user device may send an indication to the selected device at 610 to cause the selected device to identify itself. For example, the user device may instruct the lighting control device to flash the corresponding lighting load for identification. The user may identify the selected device based on the identification provided by the device, and at 612, one or more fields associated with the selected device may be configured. For example, the load control devices may be renamed after identification. Method 600 may end at 614.

FIG. 7 depicts an example GUI702 for association and/or disassociation of load control devices. GUI702 may be similar to GUI 502. The GUI702 shows a living room light 704 and a living room sensor 706. The living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 may be renamed from the dimmer switch 524 and the occupancy sensor 520, respectively. For example, the living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 may be renamed after identification. The living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 may be indicated to be associated and the association button 508 may be selected. The user device may store the association of the living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 to enable control of the living room light 704 via the living room sensor 706. The user device may send the association information or an identifier (e.g., a serial number or link address) of the living room sensor 706 to the lighting control device controlling the living room light 704 such that the lighting control device recognizes the digital message from the living room sensor 706. The GUI702 may identify each association between load control devices individually. The association of the control-source device 512 may be prevented by the GUI702 or the device on which the GUI702 may be displayed. The association of the control-target device 510 may be prevented by the GUI702 or the device on which the GUI702 may be displayed.

The discovered load control devices may be displayed and/or associated until removed from GUI 702. For example, the lighting control device controlling the living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 may be associated when they are within the established range 506 or when they are outside the established range 506. If the lighting control device controlling the living room light 704 is outside the established range 506, the association information or identifier of the living room sensor 706 may be sent to the lighting control device when the lighting control device is within the communication range of the communication module or user device.

The GUI702 may display existing associations that may be received from other devices. For example, the user device may receive association information from a lighting control device controlling the living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 for that lighting control device. The GUI702 may display the living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 as associated devices. The user device may determine from the association information that the lighting control device for controlling the living room light 704 is the control-target device and that the living room sensor 706 is the control-source device. The living room light 704 may be displayed with the control-target device 510 and the living room sensor 706 may be displayed with the control-source device 512.

The GUI702 may be used to disassociate the control-target device 510 from the control-source device 512. For example, the associated lighting control device for controlling the living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 may be indicated by the user and the user may select the button 508 to disassociate. In another example, GUI702 may include a separate button (not shown) for disassociation. When the disassociation button 508 is selected, the user device may remove the stored association of the lighting control device for the living room light 704 and the living room sensor 706 such that the living room light 704 cannot be controlled via the living room sensor 706. The user device may instruct the lighting control device to remove the association information of the identifier of the living room sensor 706 or to disable the lighting control device from acting on the digital message received from the living room sensor 706.

Fig. 8A is a block diagram of an example method 800 for discovering and associating load control devices. As shown in fig. 8A, method 800 may begin at 802. At 804, a range may be established in which the load control device may be discovered. The range may be established by configuring the signal strength to cover a defined area or by ignoring information obtained from outside the defined area. At 806, load control devices within the established range may be discovered. At 808, the discovered load control devices may be selected for association. For example, a control-source device may be selected to associate with one or more control-target devices. The selected load control devices may be associated at 810. The user device may store the association locally and/or transmit the association to another device. Each control-target device may receive the association information or an identifier of the control-source device and may maintain a register of the associated control-source device. At 812, method 800 may end.

Fig. 8B is a block diagram of an example method 820 for disassociating a load control device. As shown in fig. 8B, method 820 may begin at 822. At 824, one or more associations may be selected. The association may be selected by selecting one or more of the associated devices or selecting the association itself. One or more associations may be selected at a time for disassociation. The selected association may be removed at 826. The association may be removed from an association register stored at the user device. The remaining associations may be maintained in the register or may also be removed along with the selected association.

At 828, instructions may be sent to each control-target device in the selected association to cause the control-target device to remove the association from memory. The control-target device may receive an indication to remove the association information or the stored identifier of the associated control-source device from its register. After the control-target device removes the association information or the stored identifier of the associated control-source device, the control-target device may fail to recognize and/or execute the digital message from the disassociated control-source device or may ignore the digital message. The control-target device may maintain within its registers any other association or identifier of the associated control-source device. In another example, the control-target device may receive an indication to remove each association it stores from its register. At 830, the method 820 may end.

Fig. 9 depicts an example GUI 902 that may be used to perform discovery of load control devices using device types. The user may select the device type 906 and/or the established range 908 for discovery, association, and/or disassociation. For example, the device type 906 may include any type of load control device, such as a lighting control device, a motorized window treatment, an AC plug-in load control device, a remote control device, a temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat), a daylight sensor, or an occupancy sensor. The device type 906 may be used to discover a control-source device or a control-target device. The device type 906 may be limited to load control devices capable of two-way communication. A discovery button 904 may be selected to discover devices having a device type 906 and within an established range 908. The GUI 902 may display the discovered devices, their device types, their identifications, and/or their link addresses. The found devices may be associated or disassociated using an association button 910.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram of an example method 1000 for discovering, associating, and/or disassociating load control devices. As shown in fig. 10, method 1000 may begin at 1002. At 1004, one or more load control device types may be selected for discovery. A scope for performing discovery of load control devices may be established at 1006. The range may be established using configurable wireless signals or by ignoring information received from outside the established range, as described herein. At 1008, load control devices having the selected device type and within the established range of the user device may be discovered.

Load control devices having the selected device type may be discovered at 1008 by transmitting a discovery message that includes an indication of the type of load control device that corresponds to the response. For example, the discovery message may include a digit, a sequence of digits, or a code indicating the selected device type. One or more device types may be selected and/or indicated in the discovery message. The load control device receiving the discovery message may compare the device type indicated in the discovery message with its own device type. If the load control device is within the indicated device type, the load control device may respond to the discovery message with a response message. If the load control device is not within the indicated device type, the load control device may refrain from responding.

In another example, the user device may determine whether the load control device has the selected device type. The user device may transmit a discovery message and may receive a response to the discovery message, the response including an indication of the type of load control device responding. For example, the response message may include a device identifier, a link address, a digit, a sequence of digits, or a code indicating the type of device. The user equipment may compare the device type indicated in the response message with the selected device type. If the load control device is within the selected device type, the load control device may be included in the discovered load control device. If the load control device is not within the selected device type, information from the load control device may be ignored. At 1010, a user may select one or more of the discovered load control devices to associate or disassociate. The method 1000 may end at 1012.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example user device 1100 as described herein. For example, user device 1100 may include user device 328 or user device 404. The user equipment 1100 may comprise control circuitry 1102 for controlling the functions of the user equipment 1100. The control circuitry 1102 may include one or more general-purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventional processors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and the like. The control circuit 1102 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, or any other function that enables the user device 1100 to perform as described herein. Control circuit 1102 may store information in and/or retrieve information from memory 1104. The memory 1104 may include non-removable memory and/or 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.

User device 1100 can include a communication circuit 1108 for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communication circuit 1108 may perform wireless or wired communication. The communication circuit 1108 may include the functionality of, or be capable of performing communication with, the communication module 330 or 406. The communication circuit 1108 may include an RF transceiver or other circuit capable of performing wireless communication via an antenna. The communication circuit 1108 may communicate with the control circuit 1102 to transmit and/or receive information.

The control circuit 1102 may also communicate with a display 1106 to provide information to a user. The display 1106 and the control circuit 1102 may be in two-way communication, as the display 1106 may include a touch screen module capable of receiving information from a user and providing such information to the control circuit 1102. Each of the modules within user device 1100 may be powered by a power supply 1110. For example, the power supply 1110 may include an AC power supply or a DC power supply. The power supply 1110 may generate a supply voltage VCC for powering the modules within the user equipment 1100.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example communication module 1200 as described herein. The communication module 1200 may include, for example, the communication module 330 or 406. The communication module 1200 may include a control circuit 1202 for controlling the functions of the communication module 1200. The control circuitry 1202 may include one or more general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, conventional processors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and the like. The control circuit 1202 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, or any other function that enables the communication module 1200 to perform as described herein. The control circuit 1202 may store information in and/or retrieve information from the memory 1204. The memory 1204 may include non-removable memory and/or 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 communications module 1200 may include communications circuitry 1206 for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communication circuit 1206 may perform wireless or wired communication. The communications module 1200 may also or alternatively include communications circuitry 1208 for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communication circuit 1206 may perform wireless or wired communication. The communication circuits 1206 and 1208 may communicate with the control circuit 1202. The communication circuits 1206 and 1208 may include an RF transceiver or other communication module capable of performing wireless communication via an antenna. The communication circuit 1206 and the communication circuit 1208 may be capable of performing communication via different communication channels. For example, the communication circuit 1206 may be capable of communicating via a wireless communication channel (e.g.,or near field communication) with a user device, and the communication circuit 1208 may be capable of communicating viaBy another wireless communication channel (e.g.,or a dedicated communication channel such as CLEAR connect (tm) to communicate with the load control devices.

The control circuit 1202 may communicate with an LED indicator 1212 to provide an indication to a user. Each of the modules within the wireless communication module 1200 may be powered by a power source 1210. For example, the power source 1210 may include an AC power source or a DC power source. The power supply 1210 may generate a supply voltage VCC for powering modules within the communication module 1200.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example control-target device, such as the load control device 1300, as described herein. The load control device 1300 may be a dimmer switch, an electronic ballast for a light fixture, an LED driver for an LED light source, an AC plug-in load control device, a temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat), a motor drive unit for a motorized window treatment, or other load control device. The load control device 1300 may include a communication circuit 1302. The communication circuit 1302 may include a receiver, RF transceiver, or other communication module capable of performing wired and/or wireless communication via the communication link 1310. The communication circuit 1302 may be in communication with a control circuit 1304. The control circuitry 1304 may include one or more general-purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventional processors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and the like. The control circuit 1304 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, or any other function that enables the load control device to perform as described herein.

The control circuit 1304 may store information in and/or retrieve information from the memory 1306. For example, the memory 1306 may maintain registers for associated load control devices. The memory 1306 may include non-removable memory and/or removable memory. The load control circuit 1308 may receive instructions from the control circuit 1304 and may control the electrical load 1316 based on the received instructions. The load control circuit 1308 may receive power via the thermal connection 1312 and the neutral connection 1314 and may provide an amount of power to the electrical load 1316. The electrical load 1316 may include any type of electrical load.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example control-source device 1400 as described herein. The control-source device may be a remote control device, an occupancy sensor, a daylight sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like. The control-source device 1400 may include a control circuit 1402 for controlling the functions of the user device 1400. The control circuit 1402 may store information in and/or retrieve information from the memory 1404. The memory 1404 may include non-removable memory and/or removable memory.

The control-source device 1400 may include communication circuitry 1408 for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communication circuit 1408 may transmit and/or receive information via wired or wireless communication. The communications circuitry 1408 includes a receiver, an RF transceiver, or other circuitry capable of performing wired and/or wireless communications. The communication circuit 1408 may communicate with the control circuit 1402 to transmit and/or receive information.

The control circuit 1402 may also be in communication with an input circuit 1406. The input circuit 1406 may include buttons or sensor circuits (e.g., occupancy sensor circuit, daylight sensor circuit, or temperature sensor circuit) for receiving inputs that may be sent to the device to control the electrical load. The control circuit 1402 may receive information (e.g., an indication that a button has been actuated or sensed information) from the input circuit 1406. The control circuit 1402 may retrieve load control instructions from the memory 1404 based on information received from the input circuit 1406. The control circuit 1402 may transmit information received from the input circuit 1406 to another device via the communication circuit 1408. Each of the modules within user device 1400 may be powered by a power supply 1410.

Although features and elements are described herein in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with other features and elements. 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 (electronic signals conveyed over a wired or wireless connection) and computer readable storage media. Examples of computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), removable disks, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks and Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs).

Claims (16)

1. A control-target device for controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load, the control-target device comprising:

a memory for storing a device type associated with the control-target device;

a communication circuit; and

a control circuit configured to:

receiving, via the communication circuitry, a discovery message from a user device, wherein the discovery message includes an indication of a control-target device type;

comparing the control-target device type indicated in the discovery message with the device type associated with the control-target device;

transmitting, via the communication circuitry, a discovery response to the discovery message when the device type is the same as the control-target device type indicated in the discovery message, wherein the discovery response indicates whether the control-target device is within an established range of the user device;

receiving, via the communication circuit, an association message from the user device, wherein the association message includes identification information of a control-source device configured to provide, to the control-target device, a digital message including load control instructions for controlling the amount of power provided to the electrical load; and

storing the identification information of the control-source device in the memory, wherein the identification information of the control-source device enables the control-target device to recognize a digital message from the control-source device.

2. The control-target device of claim 1, wherein the discovery response includes a discovery message signal strength indicating whether the control-target device is within the established range of the user device.

3. The control-target device of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit is further configured to communicate with the user device via a communication module.

4. The control-target device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to include an indication of the device type of the control-target device in the discovery response.

5. The control-target device of claim 1, wherein the control-target device is a load control device configured to control the amount of power provided to the electrical load based on a digital message from the control-source device.

6. The control-target device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive a disassociation message from the user device via the communication circuit and disassociate the control-source device such that the control-target device is unable to control the amount of power provided to the electrical load based on the digital message from the control-source device.

7. The control-target device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive and store a group identifier indicative of a broadcast control group, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to control the amount of power provided to the electrical load based on a digital message directed to the broadcast control group using the stored group identifier.

8. The control-target device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive a notification message and to change the amount of power provided to the electrical load based on the notification message.

9. A method for discovering devices in a load control environment, the method comprising:

storing a device type associated with a control-target device in a memory;

receiving, at the control-target device, a discovery message from a user device via a communication circuit, wherein the discovery message includes an indication of a control-target device type;

comparing the control-target device type indicated in the discovery message with the device type associated with the control-target device;

transmitting, by the control-target device, a discovery response to the discovery message via the communication circuitry when the device type is the same as the control-target device type indicated in the discovery message, wherein the discovery response indicates whether the control-target device is within an established range of the user device;

receiving, via the communication circuit, an association message from the user device, wherein the association message includes identification information of a control-source device configured to provide, to the control-target device, a digital message including load control instructions for controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load; and

storing the identification information of the control-source device in the memory, wherein the identification information of the control-source device enables the control-target device to recognize a digital message from the control-source device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the discovery response includes a discovery message signal strength indicating whether the control-target device is within the established range of the user device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the control-target device communicates with the user device via a first protocol to a communication module, and wherein the control-target device communicates with other devices via a second protocol.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: including in the discovery response an indication of the device type of the control-target device.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the control-target device is a load control device for controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load based on a digital message from the control-source device.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving, at the control-target device, a disassociation message from the user device; and

performing disassociation of the control-source device such that the control-target device is unable to control an amount of power provided to an electrical load based on the digital message from the control-source device.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving and storing a group identifier indicating a broadcast control group, the method further comprising: controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load based on a digital message directed to the broadcast control group using the stored group identifier.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving a notification message at the control-target device and changing an amount of power provided to an electrical load based on the notification message.