Abstract: A control device includes a controller and a safety disconnect mechanism that is illuminable. The controller couples to a power supply line and a load line. Further, the controller is operable to control a power output on the load line using a power supplied by the power supply line. The safety disconnect mechanism is manipulatable between (i) an engaged state, coinciding with the power supply line being electrically coupled to the load line, and (ii) a disengaged state, coinciding with the power supply line and the load line being electrically decoupled, so that no power output is provided on the load line. A lighting element can be provided with the safety disconnect mechanism, where the lighting element is configured to have at least a first illumination state that is indicative of the safety disconnect mechanism being in the engaged position, and a second illumination state that is indicative of the safety disconnect mechanism being in the disengaged state.

Abstract: A control device includes an exterior panel comprising multiple regions, including a groove region and a surrounding region that surrounds the groove region. The control device further includes a sensor layer comprising one or more sensors to detect touch inputs performed on the groove region and the surrounding region of the exterior panel. The control device further includes a control module configured to operate a plurality of devices. The control module is configured to detect a first touch input performed by a user on the groove region and a second touch input performed on the surrounding region. Based at least in part on the location of the touch inputs the control module operates respective devices of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A control device and face plate is described, where the faceplate includes a first region formed from a first material that is non-conductive, a second region that is formed a second material that is transparent to infrared radiation, and where the first region and the second region are seamlessly joined to form a unitary structure.

Abstract: A control device and face plate is described, where the faceplate includes a first region formed from a first material that is non-conductive, a second region that is formed a second material that is transparent to infrared radiation, and where the first region and the second region are seamlessly joined to form a unitary structure.

Abstract: A touch-based control device is operable to detect touch input over an entirety of the control device's exterior, including at regions of an exterior panel that (i) overlay portions of a circuit board where no touch sensors exist, and/or (ii) extend beyond a perimeter of a touch region or circuit board on which touch sensors are provided.

Abstract: A control device includes an exterior panel comprising multiple regions, including a groove region and a surrounding region that surrounds the groove region. The control device further includes a sensor layer comprising one or more sensors to detect touch inputs performed on the groove region and the surrounding region of the exterior panel. The control device further includes a control module configured to operate a plurality of devices. The control module is configured to detect a first touch input performed by a user on the groove region and a second touch input performed on the surrounding region. Based at least in part on the location of the touch inputs the control module operates respective devices of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A touch-based control device is operable to detect touch input over an entirety of the control device's exterior, including at regions of an exterior panel that (i) overlay portions of a circuit board where no touch sensors exist, and/or (ii) extend beyond a perimeter of a touch region or circuit board on which touch sensors are provided.

Abstract: A touch-based control device can include an exterior panel that includes a groove region and a surrounding region, one or more touch sensors for detecting touch inputs performed anywhere on a substantial portion of the exterior panel, and a sensing module comprising one or more processors to detect, via the one or more touch sensors, touch inputs performed by a user on the exterior panel. The sensing module can interpret the touch input based on at least one of (i) a region where the touch input occurred, or (ii) a type of the touch input, and control a connected device based on the interpreted touch input.

Abstract: A touch-based control device is operable to detect touch input over an entirety of the control device's exterior, including at regions of an exterior panel that (i) overlay portions of a circuit board where no touch sensors exist, and/or (ii) extend beyond a perimeter of a touch region or circuit board on which touch sensors are provided.

Abstract: A control device and face plate is described, where the faceplate includes a first region formed from a first material that is non-conductive, a second region that is formed a second material that is transparent to infrared radiation, and where the first region and the second region are seamlessly joined to form a unitary structure.

Abstract: A touch-based control device can include an exterior panel that includes a groove region and a surrounding region, one or more touch sensors for detecting touch inputs performed anywhere on a substantial portion of the exterior panel, and a sensing module comprising one or more processors to detect, via the one or more touch sensors, touch inputs performed by a user on the exterior panel. The sensing module can interpret the touch input based on at least one of (i) a region where the touch input occurred, or (ii) a type of the touch input, and control a connected device based on the interpreted touch input.

Abstract: A control device includes a controller and a safety disconnect mechanism that is illuminable. The controller couples to a power supply line and a load line. Further, the controller is operable to control a power output on the load line using a power supplied by the power supply line. The safety disconnect mechanism is manipulatable between (i) an engaged state, coinciding with the power supply line being electrically coupled to the load line, and (ii) a disengaged state, coinciding with the power supply line and the load line being electrically decoupled, so that no power output is provided on the load line. A lighting element can be provided with the safety disconnect mechanism, where the lighting element is configured to have at least a first illumination state that is indicative of the safety disconnect mechanism being in the engaged position, and a second illumination state that is indicative of the safety disconnect mechanism being in the disengaged state.

Abstract: A multi-function output driver that may be used with at least two types of busses includes a multiplexer that shifts calibration bits to the pull-down transistors. This shifting changes which transistors of the transistor array are turned on when the pull-down drive transistors are driving. By changing which transistors are turned on, the impedance of the driver is changed. This shifting is used with a disable function on the pull-up drive-transistors to allow the driver to be used as an end-of-line termination, an open-drain driver, or as a source-terminated driver.

Abstract: The inventive mechanism provides a hysteresis margin to a comparator. The inventive mechanism generates two different voltage values, one high level and one low level, which forms the noise margin. The mechanism will select the proper level based on the output of the comparator. The comparator will then use the selected reference voltage, having either a slightly higher or lower level than a nominal reference value, as the reference voltage in its operations. The difference between each level and the nominal level is the added hysteresis noise margin. The inventive mechanism uses the higher voltage level when the output of the comparator is below the nominal reference voltage, and uses the lower voltage level when the output of the comparator is above the nominal reference voltage. Thus, a noise spike in the input signal would have to be larger than the margin provided by the mechanism, before causing the comparator to react to the noise in the signal.

Abstract: A multi-function output driver that may be used with at least two types of busses includes a multiplexer that shifts calibration bits to the pull-down transistors. This shifting changes which transistors of the transistor array are turned on when the pull-down drive transistors are driving. By changing which transistors are turned on, the impedance of the driver is changed. This shifting is used with a disable function on the pull-up drive-transistors to allow the driver to be used as an end-of-line termination, an open-drain driver, or as a source-terminated driver.

Abstract: A multi-function output driver that may be used with at least two types of busses includes a multiplexer that shifts calibration bits to the pull-down transistors. This shifting changes which transistors of the transistor array are turned on when the pull-down drive transistors are driving. By changing which transistors are turned on, the impedance of the driver is changed. This shifting is used with a disable function on the pull-up drive-transistors to allow the driver to be used as an end-of-line termination, an open-drain driver, or as a source-terminated driver.