Lutron Technology Company LLC

Lutron Electronics Company, Inc.

Neil R Orchowski

Christopher Matthew Jones

Erica L Clymer

Benjamin F Bard

David T Saveri, Iii

Brent Protzman

Sanjeev Kumar

Craig Alan Casey

John B Nill

Richard Leo Black

Brian Raymond Valenta

Joel Hnatow

Christina Evans

Jason P Petrella

Christoper Matthew Jones

Christopher Michael Jones

Brian Michael Courtney

Shenchi Tian

Donald F Hausman, Jr

Gregory T Davis

Rhythm Agarwal

Kyle Thomas Barco

William Harlan Howe

Thomas Lee Olson

Matthew Bamberger

Kevin Kocher

Paul DiBenedetto

Jr Donald F Hausman

A control system may comprise a plurality of audio output devices (e.g., controllable speakers), and a remote control device having at least one button for selecting a preset, where the preset defines different commands for at least two of the audio output devices. The at least two audio output devices may be configured to be controlled according to the different commands (e.g., starting, pausing, or stopping playback, adjusting volume, etc.) in response to an actuation of the button of the remote control device. The control system may also comprise a load control device, such as a dimmer configured to control an intensity of a lighting load to a predetermined intensity in response to the actuation of the button of the remote control device to select the preset. The audio output device may be configured to play a feedback signal indicating an operational characteristic of the dimmer.

Load control system having audio output devices

A load control system may be configured using a graphical user interface (GUI) software. The GUI software may be implemented to collect control devices and add the control devices to the load control system for configuration. Programming data may be automatically determined for the added control devices based on the type of control device, the location of the control device, and/or the load type controlled by the control device. The programming data may include control settings for a scene, a schedule, or an automated control feature. The programming data may be displayed for being viewed and/or adjusted by a user. The programming data may be transmitted to the control devices and/or a system controller for being implemented in performing load control.

Configuring a load control system

Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating via a communications network with a load control system of a respective user environment, receiving information on the load control system via the communications network, displaying graphical user interfaces based on the received information, and controlling and configuring the load control system via graphical user interfaces by communicating via the communications network messages with the load control system.

Communicating with and controlling load control systems

Load control system having audio control devices

A load control device comprises a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, and the bidirectional semiconductor switch further comprises two field effect transistors (FETs) in anti-series electrical connection. In the event that one of the FETs fails in a shorted state, and if the load control device is using a phase control dimming technique to control the load, the load control device may provide an asymmetric waveform to the electrical load. In order to determine whether this asymmetric waveform is present, a microprocessor of the load control device use voltage thresholds and/or offsets to monitor the voltage across the FETs. Thus, the microprocessor is operable to detect a fault condition of the load control device wherein the fault condition may comprise an asymmetry condition, or more particularly, a failure condition of one of the FETs.

Method of detecting a fault condition of a load control device

Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a load control module for a lighting control system operable to start up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting loads are each turned on as part of a startup sequence at predetermined times after an output voltage of the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting control module is operable to wait for a predetermined amount of time for the startup sequence to begin before turning on the lighting loads.

Method of controlling a load control module as part of a startup sequence

Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a method of configuring a lighting control system to power up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting control system includes a plurality of load control devices for controlling the electrical loads. The method comprising the steps of enabling a startup-delay mode in the load control devices, and determining a startup sequence having a plurality of event times for the electrical loads to turn on after the power distribution system has stabilized. A graphical user interface may be used to create a database defining the operation of the startup sequence.

Method of configuring a startup sequence of a load control system

A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from a source of AC power comprises a controllably conductive device and a variable gate drive circuit. The controllably conductive device is coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the electrical load to control the amount of power delivered to the load. The variable drive circuit is thermally coupled to the controllably conductive device and provides a continuously variable impedance in series with the control input of the controllably conductive device. The impedance of the variable drive circuit is operable to decrease as a temperature of the controllably conductive device increases and vice versa. Preferably, the variable drive circuit comprises an NTC thermistor. Accordingly, the switching times of the controllably conductive device, i.e., the times when the controllably conductive device is changing between the conductive and non-conductive states, remain constant, or alternatively decrease, as the temperature of the controllably conductive device increases.

Load control device having a variable drive circuit

Power distribution systems that have a limited peak power capability or a high source impedance, such as site supply generators, are often susceptible to abnormal operation in response to the current drawn at power up from the loads connected to the power distribution system. The present invention provides a lighting control system operable to power up a plurality of the lighting loads in sequence to reduce stress on the power distribution system. The lighting loads are each turned on as part of a startup sequence at predetermined times after an output voltage of the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting control system is operable to begin the startup sequence in response to receiving a control signal representative that the power distribution system has stabilized. The lighting loads are each controlled by a lighting control module, which is operable to wait for a predetermined amount of time for the startup sequence to begin before turning on the lighting loads.

Method of powering up a plurality of loads in sequence

In an electric system that controls electrical or state variable devices through inputs received from device operators such as switches, buttons and the like, where some of the button control or set sequences for the electrical devices and others predefined 'presets', an automatic sequence tracking process monitors the system and adjusts the position of the sequence steps for buttons that are associated therewith, to ensure that they always track the current condition of the electrical devices. Thereby, actuation of sequence generating buttons will always choose the next step in a sequence for the corresponding electrical device.

Method and apparatus for tracking sequences of an electrical device controllable from multiple locations

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Plymouth Meeting, PA, United States of America

Neil R Orchowski