Abstract: A menu selection technique is based on orientation of a companion module used in a flexible load management (FLM) system. The FLM system includes a load center that utilizes circuit breakers in combination with companion modules (i.e., intelligent controllers). Each companion module has a graphical display as well as a push button included on a face of the module as an input device used to display and input information including icons, buttons, controls, messages, status, menus or other desired text on a user interface (UI) to enable a user to configure and operate the companion module. The companion module also includes an accelerometer configured to detect a gravitational orientation (i.e., a first orientation and an opposite or upside-down orientation) and movement of the module and, in response, generate a signal that is translated to a corresponding change in orientation of the information displayed on the UI, particularly when the companion module inserted into the load center.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an architecture for redundant control of wireless devices (e.g., wireless light fixtures, wireless light strips, wireless window shades, or other wireless devices) of a home automation system is provided that uses a combination of WLAN and WPAN communication. During normal operation of the home automation system, control commands generated in response to user input in a control application (app) on a control device (e.g., a remote control, mobile device, or other electronic device) are transmitted via a WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) to a bridge device (e.g., a lamp module or wireless keypad) proximate to the wireless device, which forwards the commands over a WPAN (e.g., BLE) to the wireless device. In the absence of an available WLAN connection (e.g., due to failure, prior to its configuration, etc.), the control device may send control commands via the WPAN (e.g., BLE) directly to the wireless device.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an automation control device, such as a host or hub, is provided with functionality so that it becomes a multi-role automation control device. The multi-role automation control device is capable of controlling an expanded variety of “smart” or other devices. The multi-role automation control device may be implemented using a variety of underlying devices including a host, hub, soundbar, “smart” thermostat, “smart” amplifier, audio speaker, or other device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides intelligent lighting control systems. The lighting control systems include a switch control circuit including a processor configured to cause a transmitter communicably coupled to the processor to initiate direct wireless communication with a mobile electronic device via a wireless protocol, the mobile electronic device operating a mobile application and communicably coupled to a remote server system via a dual factor authentication. The processor is configured to broadcast a device pin to the mobile electronic device via the wireless protocol, wherein the device pin comprises one or more of a serial number, a UUID and an actuator state. The processor is configured to obtain Wi-Fi credentials from the application via an encrypted exchange with the mobile electronic device. The processor is configured to initiate an authentication sequence with the remote server system using the Wi-Fi credentials and the device pin.

Abstract: A flexible load management (FLM) system and technique adaptively monitors and manages power consumption of a premises. The FLM system includes a virtual critical load panel (vCLP) that utilizes circuit breakers in combination with companion modules (i.e., intelligent controllers) to vary a prioritization arrangement of loads in the premises by time of day, season or even dynamically. The vCLP is a prioritized enumeration (i.e., prioritization) of the loads within the premises, wherein the loads are considered sufficiently important such that they are protected by a local power source. The vCLP is dynamically configurable by a user in real time according to an instantaneous demand for the prioritized loads that is used to determine a number of branch circuits associated with the loads that is able to be powered-on at any time.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an architecture is provided for implementing circadian lighting in a home automation system having diverse lighting devices of different capabilities and manners of control. The architecture utilizes an outdoor sensor to capture current intensity and color temperature data for the outdoor environment. Color temperatures and intensities from a user-created circadian lighting curve are dynamically adjusted based on the current intensity and color temperature data for the outdoor environment to approximate changes that are occurring. The diverse lighting devices are controlled based on the dynamically adjusted temperatures and intensities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a user-navigable, three-dimensional (3-D) virtual room-based user interface for a home automation system is provided. Each user-navigable 3-D virtual room shows a substantially photo-realistic depiction of a corresponding physical room of the structure, including substantially photo-realistic depictions of boundaries of the physical room, furnishings present in the physical room, and devices present in the physical room that are under the control of the home automation system. A user may use explicit navigation commands or implicit actions to navigate within the user-navigable 3-D virtual room, moving a virtual camera in 3-D space to view the virtual room from different perspectives. By interacting with (e.g., touching, clicking on, etc.) substantially photorealistic depictions of the devices within the user-navigable 3-D virtual room, a user may is indicate changes to the state of corresponding devices in the physical room.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a device mounting system is provided for in-wall and/or in-ceiling use in residential and commercial structures, suitable for both retro-fit and new construction applications. The system includes a mounting ring and a device can. The mounting ring is installed directly into a hole cut at a selected location in the wall or ceiling or into a pre-construction bracket arranged in the wall or ceiling. The device can is later inserted into the mounting ring and retained therein by a combination of a number of magnets that are attracted to a mounting ring flange and a number of spring clips that engage an inner face of a mounting ring body.

Abstract: A technique enables microgrid switchover using zero cross detection. A flexible load management system includes a virtual critical load panel (vCLP) that utilizes circuit breakers in combination with companion modules configured to sense power provided to one or more loads to identify zero-crossings. When a preconfigured number of consecutive, missed zero-crossings is detected, the companion module is alerted as to potential main power loss and transitions to a virtual critical load (vCL) mode for load adjustment prior to operation under local power. Upon detection of main power loss, the companion module is configured for load activation (or deactivation) via states of one or more vCL bits that configure each load for either ON or OFF state when operating under local power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides intelligent lighting control systems.

Abstract: A power controller configured to fit in a circuit breaker panel powering one or more loads. The power controller is further configured to dynamically manage critical loads of the one or more loads each controlled by a component that is capable of being actuated by the power controller and operated from a smartphone via the power controller, wherein the critical loads need not be wired to a dedicated circuit breaker panel.

Abstract: A lighting control system can be implemented to analyze information such as occupancy of a room, to track movements of one or more subjects in a room and to determine how many subjects are in a room. The lighting control system includes a lighting control module configured to cause a transmission of a quantity of electrical energy to a lighting circuit of a luminaire electrically connected to the lighting control module. The lighting control system include a sensor system positioned in the lighting control module. The sensor system includes a primary sensor and at least one auxiliary sensor. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensor types.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for measuring power for a lighting control system. The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for measuring power for a lighting control system. The includes a lighting control module configured to cause a transmission of a quantity of electrical power to a lighting circuit of a light fixture electrically connected to the lighting control module, a detector circuit positioned in the lighting control module, and a controller in electrical communication with the detector circuit. The controller is specially programmed to correlate a quantity of electrical power transmitted to the lighting circuit to the response of the lighting circuit. The controller is further programmed to determine a power correction factor based on the correlation between the quantity of electrical power transmitted and the response. The power correction factor is configured to alter the response of the lighting circuit to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A flexible load management (FLM) system and technique adaptively monitors and manages power consumption of a premises. The FLM system includes a virtual critical load panel (vCLP) that utilizes circuit breakers in combination with companion modules (i.e., intelligent controllers) to vary a prioritization arrangement of loads in the premises by time of day, season or even dynamically. The vCLP is a prioritized enumeration (i.e., prioritization) of the loads within the premises, wherein the loads are considered sufficiently important such that they are protected by a local power source. The vCLP is dynamically configurable by a user in real time according to an instantaneous demand for the prioritized loads that is used to determine a number of branch circuits associated with the loads that is able to be powered-on at any time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides intelligent lighting control systems. The lighting control system apparatuses include a light control module configured to be coupled to a luminaire electrically coupled to a light bulb comprising a capacitor. The lighting control module comprises a controller configured to temporarily close a circuit comprising a load wire configured to connect an AC power source to the capacitor through the luminaire, whereby electricity flowing through the load wire flows through the capacitor in the light bulb and charges an energy storage device in the lighting control module electrically coupled to the load wire. The controller is configured to after temporarily closing the circuit, re-open the circuit prior to the capacitor fully charging, so as to prevent a light emitting element of the light bulb electrically coupled to the capacitor from illuminating.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides light switch modules and methods of implementing a light switch module for a lighting control system. The light switch modules include a light switch actuator including an actuation surface. The light switch actuator is movable to connect an electrical flow path and to activate a tactile display housed in the light switch actuator. One or more tactile motions are applied on the actuation surface of the light switch actuator for selecting a lighting setting from among a plurality of lighting settings using the tactile display.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides intelligent lighting control systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light bulb apparatus for changing a color temperature of a luminaire using an encoded alternating current (AC) power signal transmitted from a lighting control system to the luminaire electrically coupled to the light bulb apparatus, wherein the color temperature is encoded with a cut phase of the AC power signal.

Abstract: A multi-way circuit having a plurality of base modules may be used in multi-way schemes for lighting control devices. The multi-way circuit may operate with a controller and the base modules of a lighting control system to provide a fully functional, multi-way toggle circuit, even when the switches installed in the base module are not paired or in their off modes. The multi-way toggle circuit can be defined as follows: if any button in the circuit is pressed (indicating a desire to change the load state), then the load toggles its state between on and off.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides intelligent lighting control systems for adjusting a user interface on a mobile electronic device. A user input requested via the user interface to change a lighting state of one or more light emitting elements in a luminaire connected to a lighting control system communicably coupled to a server system is detected. A transaction identification (ID) code is generated on the mobile electronic device. A display of an icon displayed in the user interface is changed. The icon depicts a status of the one or more light emitting elements. The transaction identification code and a request to change the lighting state to be transmitted from the mobile electronic device to the server system. A change notification received by the server system is analyzed to determine if it includes the transaction ID code. The display state of the icon is either changed on maintained based on the analysis.