TECHNICAL FIELD

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

BACKGROUND

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

As the components and connections of lighting control devices expands implementing changes to the system and controlling operation of the system can also change.

SUMMARY

The inventors have appreciated that various embodiments disclosed herein provide apparatuses, systems, and methods for detecting activities and conditions to intelligently control lighting control systems.

Various embodiments provide methods of detecting a multi-way connection of a plurality of lighting control systems. The methods include detecting at a first lighting control system one or more lighting control systems that is within range of a wireless signal transmitted from the first lighting control system. The methods include wirelessly transmitting a control command to the one or more lighting control systems that is within range of the wireless signal from the first lighting control system. The control command is configured to cause each of the one or more lighting control systems to transition or remain in an on state, whereby a power signal connected to each of the one or more lighting control systems is permitted to flow to a luminaire connected to the respective lighting control system. The methods include sensing at each one of the one or more lighting control systems and the first lighting control system a respective current measurement via a respective current sensor housed in each respective lighting control system. The methods include transmitting the respective current measurements to the first lighting control system. The methods include determining based on the respective current measurements, which of the one or more lighting control systems is connected to a common luminaire along with the first lighting control system.

In some implementations, the methods include determining how many of the one or more lighting control systems are connected to the common luminaire.

In some implementations, the wireless signal and the control command are transmitted via a Bluetooth transmission.

In some implementations, the each of the one or more lighting control systems is turned to the on state sequentially.

In some implementations, the method includes sending a notification to each of the one or more lighting control systems connected to the common luminaire, the notification indicating which of the one or more lighting control systems are connected to the common luminaire.

In some implementations, the method includes each of the one or more lighting control systems transmitting a notification to one or more of a server system and a mobile electronic device connected to the first lighting control system. The notification provides an identification of the lighting control systems connected to the common luminaire.

In some implementations, each lighting control system in the plurality of lighting control systems comprises a light switch module a light switch actuator, an actuator circuit board system coupled to the light switch actuator, where the light switch actuator configured to move with respect to the actuator circuit board system, where the actuator circuit board system comprising a low power circuit electrically connected to a low power circuit electrical connector, where the low power circuit comprising at least one processor, and a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator and electrically coupled to the at least one processor

In some implementations, all of the light control systems in the plurality of lighting control systems are single pole, single through lighting control systems.

In some implementations, detecting is caused by an input received via a tactile display of the first lighting control system.

In some implementations, the each lighting control system in the plurality of lighting control systems comprises: a light switch module comprising: a light switch actuator, an actuator circuit board system coupled to the light switch actuator, the light switch actuator configured to move with respect to the actuator circuit board system, the actuator circuit board system comprising a low power circuit electrically connected to a low power circuit electrical connector, the low power circuit comprising at least one processor, and a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator and electrically coupled to the at least one processor.

In some implementations, each lighting control system comprises a field effect transistor and a capacitor wired in parallel with one another.

In some implementations, each lighting control system is connected to a line supplying power and a luminaire configured as a load.

In some implementations, each lighting control system in the plurality of lighting control systems comprises: a base module including a base housing forming a well and including a first electrical connector positioned in the well and a light switch module configured for nesting, at least in part, in the well of the base module. The light switch module includes a module housing, a graphical user interface coupled to the module housing, a power storage system housed in the module housing, and a second electrical connector electrically connected to the power storage system, the second electrical connector configured for engagement with and electrical coupling to the first electrical connector of the base module when nested in the well of the base module.

In some implementations, each lighting control system in the plurality of lighting control systems comprises a light switch module a light switch actuator, an actuator circuit board system coupled to the light switch actuator, where the light switch actuator configured to move with respect to the actuator circuit board system, where the actuator circuit board system comprising a low power circuit electrically connected to a low power circuit electrical connector, the low power circuit comprising at least one processor, and a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator and electrically coupled to the at least one processor. Each lighting control system also includes a light switch base module comprising a base housing forming a well configured to receive, at least in part, the actuator circuit board, the well comprising a high power circuit electrical connector for sinking and sourcing high in-line power from and to an electrical wall box, the high power circuit electrical connector configured to engage the low power circuit electrical connector, the high power circuit electrical connector electrically connected to a high power circuit board housed in the base housing, the high power circuit board comprising a voltage reducer.

In some implementations, each lighting control system in the plurality of lighting control systems includes a light switch module comprising a light switch actuator and a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator and a light switch base module configured to be electrically coupled to the light switch module.

Various embodiments provide a method of detecting a multi-way connection of a plurality of lighting control systems. The methods include detecting at a first lighting control systems one or more lighting control systems that is within range of a wireless signal transmitted from the first lighting control system. The methods include wirelessly transmitting a control command to the one or more lighting control systems that is within range of the wireless signal from the first lighting control system. The control command is configured to cause each of the one or more lighting control systems to transition or remain in an on state, whereby a power signal connected to each of the one or more lighting control systems is configured to flow to a respective luminaire connected to a respective one of the one or more light control system. The methods include sensing, at each one of the one or more lighting control systems and the first lighting control system, a respective voltage measurement via a respective voltage sensor housed in each respective lighting control system. The methods include transmitting the respective voltage measurements to the first lighting control system. The methods include determining based on the respective voltage measurements, which of the one or more lighting control systems is connected to a common luminaire with the first one of the lighting control systems.

In some implementations, each of the one or more lighting control systems is turning to the on state sequentially.

In some implementations, the lighting control systems measure a zero voltage in response to being connected to the common luminaire.

Various embodiments provide a lighting control system apparatus for automated lighting adjustment, the apparatus comprising a lighting control system configured to operate according to according to one or more of the preceding embodiments and implementations.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

