U.S. patent application number 15/315695 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-27 for touch-less switching.
The applicant listed for this patent is XYZ INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC.. Invention is credited to Valentin M. Burtea, Michael Kosic, Kevin Kowalchuk, Andrew H. Lohbihler.
Application Number | 20170117891 15/315695 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54765893 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170117891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lohbihler; Andrew H. ; et
al. |
April 27, 2017 |
TOUCH-LESS SWITCHING
Abstract
A light switch network comprises a plurality of light switch
units, each comprising a gesture interface to sense a user gesture
by receiving at least one gesture signal from a sensing zone, and
configured to exchange one or more gesture status signals with at
least one other switch unit in the network in relation to the
received gesture signal; each switch being enabled, on receiving
the gesture signal: in a first mode, to change a designated switch
mode and/or state in response to the gesture signal; or in a second
mode, to not change the designated switch mode and/or state
according to one or more conditions associated with the status
signals received from the other switch unit.
Inventors: |
Lohbihler; Andrew H.;
(Waterloo, CA) ; Kosic; Michael; (Toronto, CA)
; Kowalchuk; Kevin; (Oakville, CA) ; Burtea;
Valentin M.; (Toronto, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
XYZ INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC. |
Toronto |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
54765893 |
Appl. No.: |
15/315695 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
June 1, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2015/000383 |
371 Date: |
December 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62007134 |
Jun 3, 2014 |
|
|
|
62006686 |
Jun 2, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/017 20130101;
H03K 2217/94112 20130101; H05B 45/10 20200101; H04W 4/21 20180201;
H05B 47/10 20200101; H05B 47/19 20200101; H05B 45/20 20200101; G08C
17/02 20130101; H03K 17/78 20130101; H03K 17/941 20130101; H03K
2217/94052 20130101; G08C 2201/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H03K 17/94 20060101
H03K017/94; G08C 17/02 20060101 G08C017/02; H05B 33/08 20060101
H05B033/08 |
Claims
1-99. (canceled)
100. A light switch device for use in a light switch network,
comprising a gesture interface to sense a user gesture by receiving
at least one gesture signal from a sensing zone, and configured to
exchange one or more gesture status signals with at least one other
switch device in the network in relation to the received gesture
signal; the switch device being enabled, on receiving a the gesture
signal: a. in a first mode, to change a designated switch mode
and/or state in response to the gesture signal; or b. in a second
mode, to not change the designated switch mode and/or state
according to one or more conditions associated with one or more
status signals received from the other switch device.
101. The device of claim 100, further comprising a display to
indicate a current one of the first and second modes.
102. The device of claim 101, further comprising at least one
signal exchanger directed at a target location for the other switch
device.
103. The device of claim 102, further comprising a plurality of
signal exchangers directed in opposite lateral directions relative
to a designated wall surface, for communication with a plurality of
other switch devices.
104. The device of claim 103, further comprising a housing with a
plurality of passages, each aligned with a corresponding signal
exchanger.
105. The device of claim 103, the signal exchangers including
signal transmitters and/or receivers and/or transceivers.
106. The device of claim 104 wherein the passages are located near
opposed corner regions of the housing.
107. A light switch network comprising a plurality of the switch as
defined in claim 100.
108. A switch device for use in a switch array of switch devices,
comprising a gesture sensor configured to sense a user gesture by
receiving a gesture signal indicative thereof, a controller
configured to: c. change a designated switch state in response to
the gesture signal; d. exchange one or more interrupt signals with
one or more neighboring switch devices in the array; e. in a first
interrupt mode to originate one of the interrupt signals after
receiving a first gesture signal, f. in a second interrupt mode to
receive one of the interrupt signals originating from another
switch unit in the array, and g. to suspend, in the second mode, a
subsequent change of the designated switch state under one or more
designated conditions.
109. The device of claim 108, further comprising one or more first
signal transmitters, each oriented to transmit the one or more
interrupt signals, in the first interrupt mode, to the
corresponding neighboring switch device.
110. The device of claim 108, further comprising one or more first
receivers, each oriented to receive the one or more interrupt
signals, in the second interrupt mode, from the corresponding
neighboring switch device.
111. The device of claim 108, wherein the controller is configured
to change a designated switch state output according to a range of
a gesturing appendage in a sensing zone.
112. The device of claim 108, further comprising one or more second
signal transmitters configured to emit a plurality of pulses in a
train of pulses toward the sensing zone, each pulse to have a
different pulse strength from one pulse to another along the train;
and one or more second receivers to receive a corresponding train
of pulses from the sensing zone, the controller configured to
determine a range of the gesturing appendage from a count
representative of pulses received by each receiver above a
designated threshold.
113. The device of claim 112, wherein the controller is configured
to change the state of the output after processing a minimum
designated number of received trains of pulses.
114. A light switch device for controlling circuitry coupled
thereto, said switch device comprising a sensor interface including
at least one sensor for sensing a user gesture; at least one
processor in communication with the at least one sensor for
processing one or more sensor signals received therefrom to carry
out a designated switching action and/or change of switch mode
and/or state associated with the user gesture, the processor
configured to provide one or more first control signals to said
circuitry according to the designated switching action and/or
change of switch state, the switch device further comprising a
light emitting diode (LED) array associated with, and distributed
along a peripheral region of, the sensor interface, the processor
configured to provide one or more second control signals, to the
LED array, for displaying a switching representation indicative of
the switching action or change of switch state.
115. The device of claim 114, wherein the LED array is configured,
in response to the second control signals, to display a plurality
of colors for the switching representation.
116. The device of claim 114, wherein the LED array is configured,
in response to the second control signals, to activate at least one
first LED group of one or more LEDs in the array for a first
designated time period to present a first designated position along
the array according to the switching representation.
117. The device of claim 116, wherein the LED array is configured,
in response to the second control signals, to activate at least one
second group of one or more LEDs in the array for a second
designated time period to present a second designated position
along the array according to the switching representation.
118. The device of claim 117, wherein the LED array is configured,
in response to the second control signals, to activate successive
groups of one or more LEDs in the array for each designated time
period to present a LED lighting sequence across the array
according to the switching representation.
119. The device of claim 114, wherein said sensor comprises at
least one emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation for
reflection by a gesturing user's appendage and detected by at least
one receiver.
Description
REFERENCE TO COPENDING APPLICATIONS
[0001] The entire disclosure and subject matter of each and every
application named below is incorporated herein by reference,
including all information as originally submitted to the United
States Patent and Trademark Office and to the PCT Receiving Office:
[0002] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/147,711; filed
Jan. 27, 2009 entitled "A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RANGING FINDING,
ORIENTING, AND POSITIONING OF SINGLE OR MULTIPLE DEVICES"; [0003]
PCT Patent Application CA2010/000095; filed Jan. 27, 2010 entitled
"A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RANGING FINDING, ORIENTING, AND
POSITIONING OF SINGLE AND/OR MULTIPLE DEVICES" and designating the
United States; [0004] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/367,787; filed Jul. 26, 2010 entitled "A METHOD AND APPARATUS
FOR RANGING FINDING, ORIENTING, AND POSITIONING OF SINGLE AND/OR
MULTIPLE DEVICES"; [0005] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/369,994; filed Aug. 2, 2010 entitled "A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
RANGING FINDING, ORIENTING, AND POSITIONING OF SINGLE OR MULTIPLE
DEVICES"; [0006] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/371,053; filed Aug. 5, 2010 entitled "A TOUCH-LESS
TOGGLE/DIRECTIONAL LIGHT SWITCH AND DIMMER"; [0007] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/189,878; filed: Jul. 25, 2011 entitled "A
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RANGING FINDING, ORIENTING, AND
POSITIONING OF SINGLE AND/OR MULTIPLE DEVICES"; [0008] U.S. Patent
Application 62/006,686; filed: Jun. 2, 2014 entitled "TOUCH-LESS
SWITCHING"; and [0009] U.S. Patent Application 62/007,134; filed:
Jun. 3, 2014 entitled "TOUCH-LESS SWITCHING".
FIELD
[0010] The present disclosure relates generally to touch-less
electrical switches, for example for use in lighting.
BACKGROUND
[0011] Mechanical light switches are as ubiquitous today as
electric lighting. More recently, contactless or gesture sensing
light switches are disclosed in the literature, including for
instance U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,856 to Peng et al, and US 2013/0300316
to Engle-Hall et al. While such recent contactless or gesture
sensing light switches offer, in theory, a fundamental advance from
their widely available mechanical predecessors, they have not
become widely available, owing in part to their still relatively
limited applications and relatively high cost, when compared with
such conventional mechanical predecessors.
[0012] It would thus be desirable to offer the public with at least
a useful alternative.
SUMMARY
[0013] In an aspect, there is provided a light switch network
comprising a plurality of light switch units, each comprising a
gesture interface to sense a user gesture by receiving at least one
gesture signal from a sensing zone, and configured to exchange one
or more gesture status signals with at least one other switch unit
in the network in relation to the received gesture signal; each
switch being enabled, on receiving the gesture signal: [0014] a. in
a first mode, to change a designated switch mode and/or state in
response to the gesture signal; or [0015] b. in a second mode, to
not change the designated switch mode and/or state according to one
or more conditions associated with the status signals received from
the other switch unit.
[0016] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance, in a
first of the conditions, before receiving the gesture signal, the
switch unit may receive a status signal from the other switch unit
indicating that the other switch unit received an earlier
corresponding gesture signal. In a second of the conditions, the
switch unit may receive a status signal indicating that the other
switch unit received a stronger corresponding gesture signal. In a
third of the conditions, the switch unit may receive a status
signal indicating that the other switch unit is selected and/or
enabled to respond to a corresponding gesture signal. Each switch
unit may be configured to display a current one of the first mode
and second modes. The switch units may be adjacent or nonadjacent,
and communicating via a wired, or wireless data path, in which case
the adjacent switch units may be located in a gang box.
[0017] In another aspects, there is provided a light switch device
for use in a light switch network, comprising a gesture interface
to sense a user gesture by receiving at least one gesture signal
from a sensing zone, and configured to exchange one or more gesture
status signals with at least one other switch device in the network
in relation to the received gesture signal; the switch device being
enabled, on receiving a the gesture signal: [0018] c. in a first
mode, to change a designated switch mode and/or state in response
to the gesture signal; or [0019] d. in a second mode, to not change
the designated switch mode and/or state according to one or more
conditions associated with one or more status signals received from
the other switch device.
[0020] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance,
devices may provide a display to indicate a current one of the
first and second modes. Devices may further comprise at least one
signal exchanger directed at a target location for the other switch
device. Devices may further comprise a plurality of signal
exchangers directed in opposite lateral directions relative to a
designated wall surface, for communication with a plurality of
other switch devices. Devices may further comprise a housing with a
plurality of passages, each aligned with a corresponding signal
exchanger. The signal exchangers may including signal transmitters
and/or receivers and/or transceivers. The passages may located near
opposed corner regions of the housing.
[0021] In another aspect, there is provided an assembly of light
switches according to any aspect and exemplary embodiment described
herein.
[0022] In another aspect, there is provided a network of light
switches according to any aspect and exemplary embodiment described
herein.
[0023] In another aspect, there is provided a light switch assembly
comprising an array of switch units, each switch unit configured to
sense a user gesture by receiving a gesture signal indicative
thereof, and to change a designated switch state in response
thereto, each switch unit in the array being further configured to
exchange one or more operational signals with one or more
neighboring switch units in the array.
[0024] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance, the
operational signals may relate to gestures sensed by a switch unit
sending the operational signals. The operational signals may
include instructions to change an operational mode from a first
mode to a second mode. Adjacent switch units may be configured to
be within range of one another at designated locations in a
switched zone, wherein the switched zone may be a room, among other
possible zones. Assemblies may further comprise one or more remote
devices configured to issue signals to be received by the
receivers. Switch units may be configured to communicate
information in the form of data bits to each other in a multiple
access manner. Switch units may be configured to be assigned an
identifying code for a source of the data bits therefrom.
[0025] In another aspect, there is provided a switch assembly
comprising an array of switch units, each switch unit configured to
sense a user gesture by receiving a gesture signal indicative
thereof, and to change a designated switch state in response
thereto, each switch unit in the array being further configured to
exchange one or more interrupt signals with one or more designated
switch units in the array; each switch unit being configured to
function in a first interrupt mode to originate one of said
interrupt signals after receiving a first gesture signal, and to
function in a second interrupt mode to receive one of the interrupt
signals originating from another switch unit in the array, each
switch unit further configured to suspend, in the second mode, a
subsequent change of the designated switch state under one or more
designated conditions.
[0026] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance, the
other switch unit may a neighboring switch unit. In one of the
designated conditions, the interrupt signal may received before the
switch unit receives a second gesture signal corresponding to the
first gesture signal of the designated switch operating in the
first interrupt mode. In one of said designated conditions, the
interrupt signal may be received after the switch unit receives a
second gesture signal corresponding to, but at a lower strength
compared with the first gesture signal received by the neighbouring
switch operating in the first interrupt mode. Switch units may be
configured to indicate when the switch unit is operating in at
least one of the first mode and the second mode. Switch units may
be adjacent or nonadjacent, and communicating via a wired, or
wireless data path. Adjacent switch units being located in a gang
box.
[0027] In another aspect, there is provided a switch device for use
in a switch array of switch devices, comprising a gesture sensor
configured to sense a user gesture by receiving a gesture signal
indicative thereof, a controller configured to: [0028] a. change a
designated switch state in response to the gesture signal; [0029]
b. exchange one or more interrupt signals with one or more
neighboring switch devices in the array; [0030] c. in a first
interrupt mode to originate one of said interrupt signals after
receiving a first gesture signal, [0031] d. in a second interrupt
mode to receive one of the interrupt signals originating from
another switch unit in the array, and [0032] e. to suspend, in the
second mode, a subsequent change of the designated switch state
under one or more designated conditions.
[0033] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance,
devices may further comprising one or more signal transmitters,
each oriented to transmit the one or more interrupt signals, in the
first interrupt mode, to the corresponding neighboring switch
device. Devices may further comprise one or more receivers, each
oriented to receive the one or more interrupt signals, in the
second interrupt mode, from the corresponding neighboring switch
device. Devices may further comprise a housing, wherein the signal
transmitters and receivers are each aligned with one of a plurality
of passages formed therein. Adjacent switch units may be locate in
a gang box.
[0034] In another aspect, there is provided a switch device for use
in a switch array of switch devices, comprising a gesture sensor
configured to sense a user gesture by receiving a gesture signal
indicative thereof, a controller configured to: [0035] a. change a
designated switch state in response to the gesture signal; [0036]
b. exchange one or more interrupt signals with one or more
neighboring switch devices in the array; [0037] c. in a first
interrupt mode to originate one of said interrupt signals after
receiving a first gesture signal, [0038] d. in a second interrupt
mode to receive one of the interrupt signals originating from
another switch unit in the array, and [0039] e. to suspend, in the
second mode, a subsequent change of the designated switch state
under one or more designated conditions.
[0040] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance,
devices may comprise one or more signal transmitters, each oriented
to transmit the one or more interrupt signals, in the first
interrupt mode, to the corresponding neighboring switch device.
Devices may further comprise one or more receivers, each oriented
to receive the one or more interrupt signals, in the second
interrupt mode, from the corresponding neighboring switch device.
Devices may further comprise a housing, wherein the signal
transmitters and receivers are each aligned with one of a plurality
of passages formed therein. Signal transmitters may be enabled to
emit a plurality of pulses in a train of pulses, each pulse having
a different pulse strength from one pulse to another along the
train, the controller configured to determine a range of the
appendage from a count representative of pulses received by each
receiver above a designated threshold. Controllers may be
configured to change a designated switch state output according to
a range of a gesturing appendage. Controllers may be configured to
change the state of the output after processing a minimum
designated number of trains of pulses. Transmitters may be
configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a conical wave
broadcast.
[0041] In another aspect, there is provided a light switch device
for controlling circuitry coupled thereto, said switch device
comprising a sensor interface including at least one pulse sensor
for sensing a user gesture; at least one processor in communication
with the at least one sensor for processing one or more sensor
signals received therefrom to carry out a designated switching
action and/or change of switch mode and/or state associated with
the user gesture, the processor configured to provide one or more
first control signals to said circuitry according to the designated
switching action and/or change of switch state, the switch device
further comprising a light emitting diode (LED) array associated
with, and distributed around a peripheral region of, the sensor
interface, the processor configured to provide one or more second
control signals, to the LED array, for displaying a switching
representation indicative of the switching action or change of
switch state.
[0042] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more other
features as follows. For instance the LED array may be configured,
in response to the second control signals, to display a plurality
of colors for the switching representation. The LED array may be
configured, in response to the second control signals, to activate
at least one first LED group of one or more LEDs in the array for a
first designated time period to present a first designated position
along the array according to the switching representation. The LED
array may configured, in response to the second control signals, to
activate at least one second group of one or more LEDs in the array
for a second designated time period to present a second designated
position along the array according to the switching representation.
The LED array may be configured, in response to the second control
signals, to activate successive groups of one or more LEDs in the
array for each designated time period to present a LED lighting
sequence across the array according to the switching
representation. The circuitry may be enabled to place a light in a
designated switching mode between an electrical ON state and an
electrical OFF state, and said LED array provides a visual
indication of said designated state. The circuitry may control an
intensity of a light fixture, and said LEDs provide a visual
indication of said intensity. The sensor may comprises at least one
emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation for reflection
by a gesturing user's appendage and detected by at least one
receiver. A dimming mode may be configured to provide a designated
number of intensity levels between the electrical ON and OFF
states, according to a clocking speed of the processor. Devices may
further comprise at least a pair of emitters along a first axis
defining a gesture path, and at least a pair of receivers along a
second axis perpendicular to the gesture path. The sensor may be
configured to accept an infrared (IR) transmitted signal from a
remote IR controller. The IR transmitted signal may have a carrier
frequency from 36 KHz to 5 MHz. The LED array may be enabled to
flash during at least one of the switching actions and/or the
change in switch modes. The LED array may be enabled to flash
during a DIMMING mode. The processor may be is enabled, on a change
from an ON/OFF mode to a DIMMING mode, to enable a timer for a
designated time period. The processor may be enabled, following
passage of the designated time period, to revert to a previous
ON/OFF mode. The processor may be enabled, to maintain or to change
a current mode and/or state, on sensing a sudden gesture away from
a sensing zone. Devices may further comprise a housing configured
with an outer surface providing the sensor interface.
[0043] In another aspect, there is provided a light switch device
for controlling circuitry coupled thereto, said switch device
comprising a housing with an outer surface, the circuitry including
an LED lamp array located on the outer surface, a pulse sensor
interface located on the outer surface and including at least one
pulse sensor for sensing a user gesture; at least one processor in
communication with the at least one sensor for processing one or
more sensor signals received therefrom to carry out a designated
switching action and/or change of switch mode and/or state
associated with the user gesture, the processor configured to
provide one or more control signals to said circuitry according to
the designated switching action and/or change of switch mode and/or
state.
[0044] In another aspect, there is provided a light switch device,
comprising a gesture interface, the interface configured to receive
a signal from a neighboring detection zone, a display region
adjacent the interface, the display region oriented to represent a
switch display path between a maximum light mode and a minimum
light mode, the display region including a plurality of light
emitting diodes (LEDs), the interface configured to activate one or
more of the LEDs to present one or more of a sleep mode, the
maximum light mode, the minimum light mode, and a mode between the
maximum and minimum light modes.
[0045] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance, the
sleep mode may represented by a central LED activated in a first
color. The maximum light mode and minimum light mode may each be
represented by second and third colors respectively. The second and
third colors may be the same. The display region may include a pair
of display paths alongside the interface, with LED's positioned
along each display path. The display region may include a
peripheral display path along a peripheral region of the interface,
with LED's positioned along the peripheral display path. The
peripheral display path may encircle the interface.
[0046] In another aspect, there is provided a hands-free light
switch device, comprising a processor, a gesture sensor in
communication with the processor, and an output, the gesture sensor
including one or more pulse emitters and one or more pulse
receivers, the processor configured to process data corresponding
to signals received by the one or more receivers, to detect range
and/or movement of a gesturing user appendage, the processor
configured to relate a range value and/or a movement value to an
intended change from a first mode and/or state to a second mode
and/or state, and to issue a control signal at the output to enable
the intended change, and one or more position indicators responsive
to the processor and configured to display one or more signals
indicative of the intended change.
[0047] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance, the
position indicators may be configured to display the first and
second states as locations on an at least one indicator axis. The
indicator axis may be vertically oriented in an operative position.
Devices may further comprise a wall mountable housing. Devices may
include configurations wherein one emitter is positioned between
two receivers, or wherein one receiver is positioned between two
emitters. Processors may be configured to identify an originating
one of the emitters of the signal received by the receiver. The
outputs may further comprise a switch driver configured to open or
close an electrical circuit. Devices may further comprise an audio
signal generator for issuing an audio signal corresponding to the
change of state.
[0048] In another aspect, there is provided a hands-free switch
device, comprising a processor, a motion sensor in communication
with the processor, and an output, the motion sensor including one
or more signal emitters and one or more signal receivers, the
processor configured to process data corresponding to signals
received by the one or more signal receivers, to detect range
and/or movement of a gesturing user appendage, the processor
configured to relate a range value and/or a movement value to an
intended change between at least two modes and/or states, and to
issue a control signal at the output to enable the intended change
of modes and/or state, wherein a first of said modes and/or states
corresponds to an ON/OFF switch mode, a second of said modes and/or
states corresponds to a DIMMER mode, and a third of modes and/or
states corresponds to a SLEEP mode.
[0049] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. The signal
receivers may be configured to receive one or more first signals
from the emitters and/or one or more second signals originating
from a remote device. The first and second signals may have a
common carrier frequency. The second signals may operatively mimic
the first signals. The second signals may be data-based gesture
signals, from a gesture sensed by the remote device. The remote
device may include a portable computing device. Devices may further
comprise a substrate carrying the processor, and a number of heat
generating components, the substrate including one or more heat
conductive layers formed to provide a heat transfer link between
the heat generating components a designated location for thermal
coupling with an external cooling element. Cooling elements may
include, at least in part, an external ground plate.
[0050] In another aspect, there is provided a portable computing
device comprising a touch screen, at least one processor running at
least one computer program adapted to configure the touch screen to
receive one or more gesture instructions for adjusting an
operational state of a light switch device, and to issue infrared
(IR) instructional signals in accordance with an operational signal
protocol of the light switch device, the instructional signals
corresponding to one or more of the gesture instructions.
[0051] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance,
portable computing devices may be selected from a smart phone, a
tablet or a notebook computer, among others.
[0052] In another aspect, there is provided a non-transitory
computer readable medium having recorded thereon statements and
instructions for execution by a processor on a smart phone, said
statements and instructions comprising: [0053] a. configuring a
touch screen on the smart phone to generate touch screen data
following user interaction with the touch screen corresponding to
one or more gesture instructions for adjusting an operational state
of a target light switch device; [0054] b. configuring an infrared
(IR) transceiver to exchange operational data signals with the
target light switch device in accordance with an operational signal
protocol of said target light switch device; and [0055] c. enabling
the transceiver to send operational data signals corresponding to
one or more of the gesture instructions.
[0056] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance,
statements and instructions may further comprise enabling the
transceiver to receive a reply signal from the target light switch
including a current operational state thereof.
[0057] In another aspect, there is provided a light switch device
comprising at least one processor running at least one computer
program adapted to control one or more operational lighting states,
a sensor in communication with the processor for sensing ambient
light levels in an adjacent region, the processor enabled to
control the device when ambient light levels, relative to a
designated transition level, wherein the processor is enabled to
switch off the light switch when the ambient levels are above the
designated transition level.
[0058] Some exemplary embodiments may include one or more features,
as follows below and in the present disclosure. For instance,
processors may be enabled to access stored light profile data, and
to associate sensed data therewith to determine a switch off or a
switch on condition. Processors may be enabled to store a baseline
light data profile. Processors may be enabled to update the
baseline data profile over time. Processors may be enabled to
determine the designated transition level as a configured
difference in light level from the base line data profile.
[0059] In another aspect, there is provided a light switch device
comprising at least one processor running at least one computer
program adapted to control one or more operational lighting states,
a sensor in communication with the processor for sensing motion in
a surrounding region, the processor configured to change a
designated security status from a low level to a high level
according to a sensed motion, and to dispatch a signal to a remote
monitoring agent according to the change in the designated security
status.
[0060] In other aspects, there are provided devices, assemblies,
methods, and/or networks as shown or described.
[0061] Any one feature, element, condition, step or limitation in
any one aspect, embodiment, statement in the disclosure may be
combined with other features, elements, conditions, steps or
limitations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0062] In the drawings, which depict various aspects of exemplary
embodiments:
[0063] FIG. 1A is a frontal plan view of an exemplary embodiment of
a switch device, with one emitter and two receivers;
[0064] FIG. 1B is a frontal plan view of an exemplary embodiment of
a switch device, with two emitters and one receiver, and with an
LED light array;
[0065] FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D are frontal plan view of further
exemplary embodiments;
[0066] FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of the switch device
of FIG. 1;
[0067] FIG. 3 is a back plan view of the embodiment of the switch
circuit support;
[0068] FIG. 4 is a schematic showing a schematic of exemplary
components of the switch device of FIG. 3;
[0069] FIG. 5 is a schematic showing a schematic of exemplary
components of the detector sensor portion of the switch device of
FIGS. 1 through 3;
[0070] FIG. 5A is a schematic of an LED driver circuit that uses
instructional signal inputs from a gesture switch sensor;
[0071] FIG. 6 is a schematic showing exemplary components of a
Triac phase-based switch device configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0072] FIG. 7 is a schematic showing exemplary components of an LED
based switch device configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0073] FIG. 8 is a graph depicting a distance measurement and
signal processing functions in the switch device of FIGS. 1 through
3;
[0074] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the algorithmic states and
switch states of an exemplary switch device;
[0075] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an LED light employing a Z
and X sensor;
[0076] FIG. 10a is a perspective view of an LED light employing a
single emitter and a circular arrangement of the receiver
sensors;
[0077] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the components for a smart
switch;
[0078] FIG. 12 is a representation a remote device transmitting a
signal to a gesture sensor causing a switch event to occur;
[0079] FIG. 13 is a representation of ganged switches and the
communication path for implementing ganged switch management
strategies;
[0080] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an exemplary housing for a
switch for use in the ganged switch management of FIG. 13;
[0081] FIG. 13B is a schematic of an exemplary switch device for
use in the ganged switch management of FIG. 13;
[0082] FIG. 14 is another representation of ganged switches;
[0083] FIGS. 15A to 15C are sequential representations of exemplary
operating modes of the ganged switches of FIG. 14;
[0084] FIGS. 16A to 16D are sequential representations of exemplary
operating mode indicators of the ganged switches of FIG. 14;
and
[0085] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an ambient light monitoring
process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0086] It should be understood that the disclosure is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms
"connected," "coupled," and "mounted," and variations thereof
herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect
connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms
"connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted
to physical or mechanical or electrical connections or couplings.
Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the
specific mechanical or electrical configurations illustrated in the
drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the disclosure.
However, other alternative mechanical or electrical configurations
are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the
instant disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the
term "or" is to be considered inclusive. Further, the term "a" when
followed by a single recitation of a named feature is to be
construed inclusively, to mean that it includes within its meaning,
more than one of the named feature, or more than one feature
including the named feature.
[0087] The term "gesture" herein refers to a movement of a part or
appendage of a user's body, such as a hand or one or more fingers,
according to one or more designated movements to express an
intended action.
[0088] The term "gesture sensor" herein refers to a device capable
of receiving signals originating from, or reflected from, the part
or appendage of the user's body, during the course of a gesture.
Such signals are disclosed, for example, in PCT application
PCT/CA2010/000095.
[0089] The term "range" refers to a distance measurement between a
receiver of signals and a transmitter or reflector of the signals,
for example as disclosed in PCT application PCT/CA2010/000095. A
"range value" refers to a representation of the distance
measurement, and which changes proportionally with changes thereto.
When sensors in an array are monitoring a moving object, they will
generate changing range values which may be processed collectively
to characterize the movement of the object, including speed,
acceleration, and/or position.
[0090] As disclosed in PCT/CA2010/000095, the term "pulse" refers
to a burst of a carrier frequency signal emitted by an emitter. The
pulses are emitted in a sequence or train of pulses, which each
pulse having a varying signal strength from one pulse to the next
forming collectively an uneven pulse profile, which may be, for
example, ramped, undulating, or random. The pulse strengths may
progressively increase, progressively decrease or change according
to designated or random function along the train. The strength of
each pulse will change with changing distance being traveled by the
train of pulses, since the signal will degrade over distance and in
a predictable way. This means that the pulse strength profile will
change according to the distance travelled by the train of pulses.
One way to characterize the profile is to count the pulses in the
train, since the count will, for example, be reduced with
increasing distance, because relatively lower strength pulses
become no longer detectable. A pulse strength threshold value may
be used to determine the countable pulses above the threshold and
the uncountable pulses below the threshold. The count therefore may
be used as an inverse measure of distance.
[0091] A "pulse sensor" refers to a receiver which is enabled to
receive a signal having one or more trains or sequences of
pulses.
[0092] A "pulse emitter" refers to an emitter enabled to issue a
signal representative of one or more pulses in one or more trains
or sequences of pulses.
[0093] The terms "gesture interface" and "sensing interface" refer
to a plane or surface defining a zone for sensing a gesture by a
user's appendage, enabled by pulse sensors, on one side of the
interface, to sense objects on an opposite side by signals
reflected off the user's appendage (or emitted by an emitter on the
user's appendage), where the interface is transparent to the
signals travelling therethrough.
[0094] The term "mode" herein refers to a designated function. The
term "state" refers to a condition according to the mode. A mode
may have more than one state.
[0095] The term "zone" refers to a volume of space adjacent
designated location, such as an interface. A sensing zone is the
volume of space beside a sensing interface in which the presence of
a user's appendage may be sensed. A user's appendage may be
considered to leave the zone when signals therefrom are no longer
measurably sensed.
[0096] The term "gang", in the context of ganged switch devices,
refers to an array, assemblage, set or associated group of switch
devices, in which each switch is operatively responsive to at least
one other switch therein.
[0097] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplified light switch device 10,
when seen from a front wall mounted cover plate 12. The cover plate
12 may include a transparent panel 12a, such as glass, to allow
passage of signal transmissions, such as infrared (IR) radiation,
to pass therethrough for the functioning of one or more emitters
and sensors located in the switch device 10, for signaling and
detection purposes, as will be described below.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 2, the switch device 10 includes a support
22 supporting a visual indicator 14 (such as a LED utility light)
for indicating various switch states during operation of the switch
device 10. In one state, the visual indicator 14 is activated
during the switch OFF state, for dark or night-time use as a "night
light". Located behind the cover plate 12, and aligned with the
panel 12a, is a motion detection sensor assembly 16, which includes
one or more detectors (or receivers) 18 and one or more emitters
20. In this case, one emitter 20 is placed between two receivers
18. If desired, the cover plate may contain, alternatively, an IR
transparent panel shown at 12b (as shown in FIG. 1A), which is
transmissive to IR signals only to reduce ambient interference from
the nearby room or the visual indicator 14.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 1B, the switch device 10 may be provided
with one receiver 18 placed between two emitters 20. An LED display
24, in this case in the form of an array of LEDs behind a
transparent ring or band, is also deployed surrounding the
switching sensor The LED display 24 is operable to illustrate the
actions of the switch in terms of the hand movements, in this
example using color to aid the process of switching representation,
as will be described.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 1C, the switch device 10 may be further
configured with two receivers 18 between the emitters 20 but also
in spaced relation to the emitters 20 and in spaced relation to
each other.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 1D, the switch device may be provided with
a number of centrally located emitters 20 and detectors 18
surrounding the emitters 20, and behind an IR panel 12a. If
desired, the switch device may also be provided with LED indicator
lights shown at 23 for indicating user activity at the switch, that
is on detecting of a gesture. The emitters and receivers are in a
matrix, in which selected ones of the receivers are oriented in x
and y axes, allowing for movement to be detected in both directions
arising in non-linear gesture movements.
[0102] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the support 22 carries a
processor 33, which communicates with each receiver 18, emitter 20,
and visual indicator 14, or the LEDs in the display LED 24. The
support 22 also contains the circuitry supporting a powering
circuit 34 to power the processor 33 and a communication link 38,
as shown in FIG. 3.
[0103] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict schematics of a circuit to switch and
dim an incandescent-, or a fluorescent-based lighting system to
switch or dim using an operation utilizing a "Triac", shown at 40,
which is supplied by powering circuit 34 and used to alter the
phase of a powering line voltage, using a control signal present on
path 42 from the processor (CPU) 33. FIG. 4 also depicts an
electrical schematic of a powering circuit 34, that may switch and
dim an LED based lighting system shown in FIG. 7. A triac based
light control circuit typically uses a "zero-crossover" signal
pulse from the AC waveform as a reference signal to instruct the
CPU when to switch-OFF the triac during the AC cycle phase.
Referring to FIG. 5A, an LED based lighting system typically will
use a PWM (pulse width modulated) control signal on PWM signal path
44 presented to a current regulator 48, that is used to alter the
electrical current to an IR LED light emitter. FIG. 5 depicts a
sensor module 47 which includes the motion and gesture sensor
assembly 16 as a standalone circuit section on the support 22 or as
separate and removable module. The sensor module 47 includes the
processor 33, digital resistor 48, detectors 18, and the emitter
20. The processor 33 also communicates with the LEDs of the LED
display 24.
[0104] Processor 33 may be provided, for example, as an 8-bit
flash-based PICMICRO.RTM. microcontroller available from Microchip
Technology Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. The memory elements of processor
33, or separate memory associated therewith, "saves and stores" the
desired status (e.g., "ON," "OFF," intensity of power, etc.) of the
circuit, during the operating modes of the switch device 10. The
CPU also store in its memory algorithms to detect specific
gestures, and look-up tables and algorithms to relate the hand
distance measurement to a specific triac phase switch-off time.
[0105] It some exemplary embodiments, the switch device 10 may be
configured to transition between a switch mode and a dimmer mode
without using a manual switch or any "jumpers" on the switch
circuit. A timer is triggered by the processor 33 when the
switching function is in the ON state and the user's hand is placed
in the IR beam. In so doing, the switch is in State "0" and a timer
is activated (after a few seconds) to enter dimming. The user's
hand may thus move in a range relational manner to alter the light
intensity using a range calculating algorithm in the processor 33.
In some cases, the dimmer may be suppressed completely, or a manual
switching function may over-ride the switch and dimmer. For this
purpose "jumpers" may be provided to change operating modes.
Similarly a PIR or long-range switch sensor, or an external or
remote infrared controller may alter the switching mode. In this
case, the gesture sensor may be configured to accept an IR
transmitted data packet to instruct the switch accordingly.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 7, a module may be provided exclusively for
LED lighting including a sensor module, to carry out DC voltage
switching. The switch device 10 may utilize one or more regulators
46, 60 as desired to provide power to the sensor circuit and an LED
lighting array 52. Powering may be available for circuits that
require dimming or not, in which case that they need a cross-over
signal for phase synchronization. Dimming for DC powered LED's
alternatively require a PWM (pulse wave modulated) signal input 44
to the LED driver circuit 54 to dim the LED lighting array 52.
[0107] The module may only need a switch sensor powered with DC and
feed signaling as a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal, as well as
an Enable (i.e. ON/OFF) signal. LED driver integrated circuit chips
are commercially available to provide LED driver circuits for this
configuration. An example of a driver circuit for LED lighting is
an LM3407 (from Texas instruments Inc.) using ENBLE and PWM signal
inputs from a gesture sensor, and powering from AC or from a DC
source is shown in FIG. 5A. Such a module may typically be compact
and low-cost, and may not require attributes associated with AC
main voltages and loads (such as: noise, EMI, over-voltage surges,
shock hazards, etc.). Such modular designs may be suited for
lighting applications such as LED desk lamps, under-counter kitchen
lighting, etc. Such signaling information may not necessarily
communicate directly with the light control devices, but also with
a radio transceiver, such as via communication link 38, or to an
external processor via a multi-wire serial interface, for example.
Such external devices can be PDA's, computers, or special purpose
controllers.
[0108] The processor 33 may send signals that may be indicated on
the visual indicator 14 (or indicators 23 or LED display 24) in a
way that may be correlated with the activity of the switch device
10, for a user to relate the changes of switch status to activity
related to the switch operation. An example is to switch the visual
indicator 14 ON when the switch 10 is OFF (allowing the user to use
the switch at night), and the visual indicator 14 OFF when the
switch 10 is ON. Also when the switch reverts over to DIMMING mode
the visual indicator 14 may, in one exemplary embodiment, revert to
flash ON/OFF for about one second intervals (for example) to
indicate that DIMMNG is in progress, and stop flashing to indicate
that DIMMING has completed. Alternatively, the visual indicator 14
may be set to a duty cycle to indicate the level of light intensity
output to the illuminating light by way of output terminal 56 (as
shown in FIG. 4).
[0109] The emitter 20 is configured to emit an Infrared (IR) beam
outwardly from the switch device 10, that is through the
transparent panel 12a, while the detectors 18 are configured to
sense reflected IR beams travelling back into the switch device 10
through the panel 12a. Another embodiment may enable a user to
transition the switch between manual SWITCH and DIMMING modes using
gestures applied to the switch 10 by the user. Referring to FIGS. 6
and 7, such an example of gesture-based mode switching is for the
user to hold their hand over the emitter beam 20a for a time
duration (for example 2 seconds), and at a designated and/or
specific distance from the switch 10, allowing the processor 33 to
operate a timer and switch to DIMMING mode. The termination of
DIMMING mode may be alternatively "switched" by applying a similar
or different gesture recognized by the switch 10, for example, by
keeping the hand stationary for an additional time period (2
seconds for example). DIMMING may also be terminated by allowing a
maximum time to perform an illumination setting to take place.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 10, and further to the control of the LED
or LED array 52, a control circuit with processor 33, digital
resistor 48, and motion sensor assembly 16 may be incorporated
entirely into the housing of an LED lamp or bulb 53. The detectors
18 and emitter 20 are placed centrally, that is in the middle of,
the lamp face and may be exposed to the exterior like the lighting
LED array also shown on the exterior of the bulb. The switch may be
operated by waving the hand or object across the bulb 53 to achieve
ON and OFF states, and dimming may be operated by moving the hand
toward and away from the bulb 53.
[0111] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, as may be required for
synchronization purposes, a zero cross signal may be extracted from
the line sine wave from line voltage terminals 62 and associated
parts of the circuit. A power circuit 34 may be configured to
extract the needed power supply to not apply an unpredictable phase
shift in the AC line. A zero cross over indicating signal may then
be issued on zero crossover link 58 to the processor 33 to begin
the phase timing allowing the output phase signal to be in synch
with the AC presented to the illuminating light. As an alternative,
processor 33 may be programmed to synchronize the signals. A
cross-over signal may not be required for the control of a DC
operated light such as for powering and controlling the intensity
of an LED or LED array.
[0112] Emitter(s) 20 is typically an IR transmitter that emits IR
radiation of one or more desired wavelengths. This emitter may also
operate at radio frequencies, and using ultrasonic waves using the
principle of ranging outlined in the patent application
PCT/CA2010/000095 using a method of "ranging" developed by XYZ
Interactive Technologies. This technology outlines a method of
using an emitter transmitting a specifically modulated transmission
to a reflecting object (for example, human hand), hence reflections
are received by detectors and decoded for "ranging". By way of
example only, emitter 20 may comprise an IR emitter that emits
radiation in the near IR spectral band of electromagnetic radiation
spectrum. Without limiting the scope of the present disclosure, the
LED may have modulation in the form of a carrier frequency, as well
as a sequence or train of pulses, each sequence in a designated
burst at the said carrier frequency. Typical IR LED's radiate at 36
KHz to 56 KHz for commercial communication uses related to
television and home entertainment uses. However, this exemplary
embodiment may operate at higher carrier frequencies such at 455
KHz upwards to 5 MHz for IRDA and other carrier frequencies and
associated modulation rates.
[0113] The emitter(s) 20 operates under the control of the
processor 33, which causes the emitters to emit in a pulsed and
pulse modulated fashion. The processor 33 is powered by a power
circuit 60 (FIG. 4) that harvests the AC line voltage 62 into a DC
voltage (typically about 5 volts with 10 mA of current) and
regulated as such using regulator circuit 64. The power regulator
circuit may be of various types including a low-cost
transformer-less resistive, capacitive, or bridge rectifier based
circuits for less than 30 mA of current, but not isolated from the
AC power line. Alternatively, the power regulator circuit can
employ a transformer or switcher based design for the advantage of
AC isolation safety but are higher in cost. The processor 33 is
programmed to emit a group of carrier pulses, and with a specific
modulation format, and also with a power level controlled pattern
using a digital resistor 48, that is controlled by the processor
33. The processor will typically use a digital resistor 48, or some
other means, to generate a power level pattern of pulses that is
emitted by the emitter 20. This power level pattern is done during
a "ranging" cycle so that the outcome of the cycle is to compute a
range between the emitter 4 to a human hand, and hence to the
receiver(s) 18.
[0114] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the power (or power harvesting)
circuit 60 may employ a varistor 66 to reduce the effect of voltage
surges. The power circuit 60 may have isolation and employ a power
reducing component (resistive, capacitive, SCR, or transformer) to
minimize heat that may generated to potentially damage the
circuits.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 8, the gesture motion sensor assembly 16
deploys two receivers 18 and one emitter 20 for the purpose of
sharing the IR emitted by the emitter to generate two ranging
signal outputs from the receivers simultaneously. These will be
denoted as S1 and S2. Each receiver will input a signal S1 and S2,
respectively, that when processed by the processor 33 will be
proportional to the range. The range signal is generally computed
as the sum of all high events recorded by the receivers during the
ranging cycle. For example, the range value R1 (between sensor and
hand) is computed as the sum of all HIGH points clocked during the
ranging cycle. R1 will be higher when distance is low, so that the
value of R will increase with the value of S. If the number of
power levels clocked during the ranging cycle is 256 (for an 8-bit
counter) then the range will vary between 0 and 255.
[0116] In the example of FIG. 4, a process of dimming of the switch
10 may be carried out using the Triac 40 to control the power
output of the switch to the load using a series of timed switched
events during the phase of the AC cycle. In this case the Triac 40
starts in the ON state from the positive AC waveform cross-over,
and is switched-OFF. Thus, the Triac 40 may use the sensor range
information to control a series of timed phase-based switch-off
events. This may be done using the output of (S1+S2)/2 as a
combined range signal. If the phase control is done over a 60 Hz
cycle then the method of dimming requires that the 60 Hz interval
be divided into "N" ranging cycles representing N intensity levels.
Thus, equivalently, N ranging steps may be defined and equal to N
intensity levels. Note that the actual value of N will vary with
the clocking speed of the processor 33.
[0117] Switching may be achieved by using logic defined in FIG. 8
and FIG. 9, where S1 and S2 must exceed a threshold "TH_2" to be
able to change states from SLEEP to State 0. The logic is as
follows: as the hand moves through the lower receiver 18, S1 goes
high in proportion to R1 (i.e. the range value of S1) in the
ranging cycle, hence S1 exceeds the switching threshold, but S2
remains below the threshold. Hence State "0" goes to State "1".
When S1 goes below the threshold as the hand advances to upper
detector 18 and S2 exceeds the threshold and goes high in
proportion to R2 (or the range value for S2), then State "1"
advances to State "2". In State "2", the switch goes to the ON
state from OFF. The switch internally advances to State "0" but
remains in the ON state. Conversely, if the hand moves from S2 down
to S1 then the process is reversed, and the switch internally moves
from State "0" to State "3" and hence to State "4". In State "4"
the switch goes to the OFF state from ON. Hence if signals S1 and
S2 have sub-threshold (i.e. less than TH_2) values then the switch
reverts back to State "0", leaving the switch state unchanged. In
some exemplary embodiments, a process of making switching immune to
side movements of the hand is as follows: as the hand moves
sideways through the switching zone, switch signals S1 and S2 are
both increased at the same time. If both S1 and S2 exceed the
threshold TH_2 then they both will not trigger the first logic
statement to move into State "1" or State "3". If accidentally
state "1" or State "3" is switched then neither will advance to
State "2" or "4" because S1 or S2 will not elevate again
thereafter, and the switch will advance to state "0" the rest
statering to FIG. 9, if S1 and S2 both exceed TH_2 and this
condition is held for "M" iterations (i.e. when the hand hovers for
a period of time), then the switch enters State 5 or the DIMMING
mode starts. In DIMMING the switch will select a dimming intensity
(DI) for the switch as a function of the values for S1 and S2, or
as the average value DI=(S1+S2)/2. This may be implemented as the
CPU 33 using the DI value and choosing a Triac 40 phase shut-off
timing signal 20 (see FIG. 6), or as a PWM signal input 44 to the
LED driver 54 (see FIG. 7).
[0118] A DIMMING mode may be implemented in various ways. If the DI
value is known for gesture sensor configurations FIGS. 1A and 1B,
then the light intensity may be calculated to allow the user to
move their hand outward to inward to increase load intensity, and
conversely inward to outward to increase load intensity. It is also
possible for the user to move their hand upward or downward to vary
load intensity. For FIGS. 1C and 1D, the user's hand can possibly
move in a clock-wise or counter clock-wise movement over the
switch-plate to vary load intensity. This is achieved by having
multiple signals (four or more) such that the pattern of hand
movement can be detected as a rotation, and the direction is
converted into a load intensity increment or decrement. In FIG. 1D,
this configuration can detect finger touch movements that can be
modeled as a finger position relating to DI, or also as a
two-finger touch or "pinch" such that the spacing between two
fingers can be related to DI. Various other methods of continuous
hand movements or variations may be achieved using FIGS. 1A, 1B,
1C, and 1D sensor configurations, depending how the hand movements
are sensed by the gesture sensor.
[0119] In some exemplary embodiments, such pulsed electromagnetic
radiation emission by emitter 20 may be substantially constantly
operating, although it is also within the scope of the present
disclosure to shut emitter 20 down periodically, or when desired,
or using an automatically operating SLEEP function. The SLEEP
function operates when the light switch has not changed for a time
period (of no activity). This may occur when a timer has exceeded
in value and when the switch is in ON or OFF state. In the SLEEP
mode, the switch is in a pulse mode such that the emitter is
pulsing periodically, (such as at one second intervals), or
otherwise infrequently to consume lower power. If a hand or other
reflecting object comes close to the switch, a simple check of
reflected IR at a low threshold TH_2 will cause the processor 33 to
come out of sleep to full switch operation or on ACTIVE mode (which
is State 0 in FIG. 9).
[0120] Receivers may be provided such those sold under the brand
Vishay, model numbers TSOP4838, and TSOP4856. Various other
receivers are available that have varying characteristics that make
the receiver response linear or more sensitive by using a built-in
automatic-gain controller (AGC). Configurations may be provided to
reduce environmental/ambient noise in the signals received by the
receivers, from ambient sources, as well as indirectly from the LED
array 24 and/or the visual indicator 14.
[0121] A detection zone may be provided in front of the cover
plate, for example up to about six inches from cover plate 12, or a
greater distance from the transparent panel (or interface cover)
12a of the cover plate 12. The linear variation is typically
affected by the sine wave of the line voltage and the nonlinear
variation of a range based sensor operated with direct range (or Z
movement of the hand), or with a finger or hand moving across the
cover plate (or as X movement of the hand). Such nonlinear effects
may be corrected by using a simple Look-Up table to set the minimum
and maximum values, as well as the variation in between the
extremes.
[0122] The detectors 18 may be located under the panel 12a (or
panel 12b) such that the electromagnetic waves emit through the
medium of the panel 12a from emitter 20, and reflect back through
the medium to detectors 18. A suitable substrate material may be
chosen allow the electromagnetic waves to penetrate without causing
undue noise due to internal reflections. It is necessary for the
values of TH_1 and TH_2 be chosen to exceed this internally
measured noise level for the switching and SLEEP functions to
operate correctly (see FIG. 8).
[0123] The switch device 10 may be effected by using the activation
of only one detector 18, to perform switching such that the signal
from any single detector exceeds the threshold TH_1. Hence, the
states ON and OFF may be achieved algorithmically in processor 33.
Phase switching and dimming may also be achieved using phase-based
switching, and for current controlled LED and LED arrays.
Alternatively, other methods of toggle switching may use alternate
components that may control higher voltage switching not limited to
lighting. By way of example and not limitation, an AC version of
switch device 10 may comprise an IGBT photovoltaic relay, single
pole, normally open 0-280 VAC or 0-400 VDC 1.0 A AC/DC switch, such
as that available from International Rectifier as part no.
PVX6012.
[0124] Thus, in some exemplary embodiments, a touch-less, digital
electrical switch is provided that includes at least one sensor,
and at least one emitter, that is oriented or associated with other
elements in such a way as to detect toggle or directional vertical
sweeping, or switching motions using absolute or relative distance
measurement. When an intended switching motion is sensed by the
sensors within a predetermined distance, and with a predetermined
gesturing motion, the status of a switch is communicated to other
components within the switch, if any, to effect the "position" of
the switch as changed. An indication of the "position" of the
switch may be provided by way of a visual indicator. Similar
gestural input by the user's hand may dim the light intensity of
the switch using a range based movement (perpendicular to the
switch plate), or linear movement (parallel to the switch plate).
Similarly, switching and dimming may be enabled by an external
controller, external radio network, or a connecting computer or
PDA.
[0125] In some exemplary embodiments, a gesture sensor may be
configured with any combination of emitters and receivers. The
emitters and receivers may define a sensory signal path of range
measurement. If desired, the motion sensor assembly may be
configured with a single receiver followed by two emitters, each
placed above or below the receiver in spaced relation to said
receiver. The receiver does not necessarily have to be co-linear
with the emitters. A sensor may also be provided with a single
emitter and a single receiver.
[0126] In some exemplary embodiments, two receivers may be placed
between the emitters but also in spaced relation to the emitters,
but also in spaced relation to each other receiver. As an example,
the receivers can be placed on the midway line between the
emitters, in a cross configuration, as shown in FIG. 1C. The
benefit of such an arrangement is to detect gesture activity that
is not only along the co-linear path (i.e. vertical path when
installed in a wall location, for example) but also perpendicular
to the gesture detection path, for example to detect a gesture that
requires the hand to move about the left and right side of the
switch. Examples of such gestures are the circular motion of the
human hand. The switch may detect a 2-dimensional gesture movement
that involves up/down and left/right movement at the same time.
This type of switch function may widen the applicability to many
switch designs and gestures detectable.
[0127] In some exemplary embodiments, for example as shown in FIG.
1D, additional IR emitters may be placed in spaced relation to the
said receivers inside the gesture sensor to detect additional IR
radiation for the purpose of improving the gesture detection over a
wider area of the switch plate. This design may use a relatively
larger number (i.e. greater than two) of receiver elements
configured as an array for the purpose of detecting IR reflection
from a hand or finger tips to detect a richer series of gestures
like the movement of a fingertip across the substrate of a
switch-plate. This may allow the user to move their individual
fingers along the plate and allow them to be detectable rather than
the whole hand. Examples of gestures detectable are: finger swipes
for ON/OFF, circular movements of the fingertips to indicate a
dimming function in a clockwise or counter-clockwise movement.
[0128] In some exemplary embodiments, the support 22 may be a
printed circuit board (PCB) in a single unit with components placed
on its underside. Using a hole in the PCB the receiver (for
example) may be mounted on the underside of the board and
re-oriented such that the sensory side of the receiver is facing
outward through the hole. This arrangement of the receiver may
serve to save component height and allow for the receiver to be
further isolated from IR signal cross-talk from the emitters.
[0129] In some exemplary embodiments, a sensor apparatus may be
embedded inside the housing of an LED bulb, with examples thereof
being shown in FIGS. 10 and 10A. The sensor apparatus may be the
shape of a simple linear array of emitters and receivers (i.e. as
one emitter and two receivers, or one emitter and two receivers),
or be in the shape of a circular array of receivers surrounding the
periphery of the LED housing. The placement and design of sensor
components may be useful for the type of gestures that may be
detected. For example, the linear design shown in FIG. 10 may
detect swipe gestures mainly, as well as hover and ranging for
dimming purposes. However, the design with sensors around the
periphery (as shown in FIG. 10A) may be used to detect circular
movements and gestures that indicate circular movements either
clockwise or counter-clockwise. Example functions for these
gestures may include, among others, to dim or brighten the lamp, as
well as to enable pattern mode or color changes. Both approaches
may be used to detect gestures that detect that the human hand is
moving abruptly toward the bulb, so as to turn the LED lamp
ON/OFF.
[0130] FIG. 1D illustrates a switch provided with three emitters 20
and detectors 18, in a 2.times.5 matrix configuration, that is
providing five detector pairs or groups of two shown at 18a, in
which selected ones of the detectors are oriented in x and y axes,
allowing for movement to be detected in both directions arising in
non-linear gesture movements either from an open hand, or from a
single finger tip moving across the surface. In this example, the
five detector pairs detect movement in a y (vertical) axis, and
detectors in each of the detector pairs across the switch detect
movement in an x (horizontal) axis, while inclined detector pairs
shown at 18b or 18c detect movement in an angular direction midway
between the x and y axes. In this example, the three emitters would
be multiplexed, and linear motion of vertical swipes are easily
detectable and separable from hand movements across the switch
(i.e. in the x-axis). Also, fine finger tip movements can be
discerned and indicated using indicator LED's in the display
24.
[0131] In some exemplary embodiments, smart features may be applied
to the switches to allow them to operate in specific modes
independent or in concert with the gesture sensor. In FIG. 11 a
central processor 33 of the sensor switch 72 may be configured to
carry out automatic gesture detection functions as discussed
herein, but in addition allow for selection of command action
associated with wireless operation of the switch 72. Smart
operations may also include features of the switch that may add
cosmetic styling to the switch, such as display module 74,
including colored LED arrays, LED displays, and sound effects that
may add feature and entertaining value to the switching experience.
Sound effects (for example, like clicks or simulated switching
actions) may be handled by audio module 76, including an internal
speaker, buzzer, or miniature piezo device or the like. An external
device 78 (like an iPhone, Android device, computer, etc.) may also
be configured to communicate with an internal wireless device (such
as handheld IR remotes, RF devices, Bluetooth.TM., BLE.TM., Wifi,
Zigbee.TM., or the like). Smart application programs may also be
configured to provide an external device available for controlling
and managing the operation of a smart switch. Examples of remote
operation are to set the switch function to be relay only (i.e.
OFF/ON), triac switching and dimming, rooms set for automatic
motion detection, enabling light switches in some rooms but not
others, setting alarm conditions in certain rooms in a home or
office, patterned or colored lighting in certain rooms of the home,
etc.
[0132] In some embodiments, a gesture detection and switching
sensor may be inserted inside a general purpose external switch
housing. This may distinguish from using a switching device inside
a standard AC load switch box, and may be placed on a wall, or on a
shelf, or made part of a remote control to do functions that are
not similar to placement inside standard electrical light
switchbox. The device may be powered with an AC adapter, phone line
power, battery powered, or solar powered, typically depending on
power availability and location of operation. The device may be
wired, or use wireless features associated with many type of
wireless control in the household or industrial environment.
Examples of wireless devices are: handheld IR remotes, RF devices,
Bluetooth.TM., BLE.TM., Wifi, Zigbee.TM., or the like. Such a
device may also be internet connected (wired or wireless) for
long-range monitoring and control purposes, data telemetry, and
security monitoring. Such a device may detect many types of
gestures and do multiple switching such as swipes (left/right), and
swipes (up/down), hand movement (in/out), circular gestures, as
well as many types of gestures that use a combination of said
gestures, including hover and in-hover gesturing.
[0133] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a switch assembly shown at 80
having an array of switch units 10, each switch unit is configured
to sense a user gesture by receiving a gesture signal indicative
thereof, and to change a designated switch state in response
thereto. Each switch unit 10 in the array is further configured to
exchange one or more interrupt signals with one or more neighboring
switch units in the array. Each switch unit 10 is configured to
function in a first interrupt mode to originate one of the
interrupt signals after receiving a first gesture signal, and to
function in a second interrupt mode to receive one of the interrupt
signals originating from another switch unit in the array. Each
switch unit is further configured to suspend, in the second mode, a
subsequent change of the designated switch state under one or more
designated conditions. Referring to FIG. 14, each switch 10 is
configured to communicate to neighboring switches using a
transmitting LED 90 and a receiving LED 92. In this way any of the
three array switches is in contact with the other(s). The
transmitting LED's may thus send simple digital data as IR pulses
from 90 to 92 to communicate any required instruction. This simple
method of communication can allow for switch ganging and other
functions.
[0134] FIGS. 16a to 16d also provide an example of a color
representation for hand-based dimming in the ganged switch assembly
80 where, as shown in FIG. 16A, the LED band display 24 is lit with
the BLUE marker LED in the middle. As the human hand is placed in
front of the sensor, in FIG. 16B, the "hover" gesture is detected
and the LED band display 24 changes color to GREEN with the marker
LED activating and changing position as UP or DOWN the display. In
one example, the hand position may move the LED marker up (as in
FIG. 16C) or down, or the marker LED may follow a ramped or
programmed movement based on timing. UP may indicate higher light
intensity, and DOWN may indicate lower intensity. When the hand is
quickly pulled away from the switch, as in a sudden gesture out of
the sensing zone, the level intensity setting of the switch may be
maintained, hence when gesture switching occurs the same level will
always appear. This is an example setting, but many combinations of
display are possible. Also, many different shapes of the LED band
display 10 can be realized. Examples can be rectangular, square,
elliptical, circular, or even recessed patterned designs.
[0135] Some exemplary embodiments may provide hands-free switches
that operate in a manner that is capable of distinguishing between
directional hand movement which is intended to turn them on or off,
be immune to arbitrary motion, and/or be hands-free light switches
which mimic the operation of conventional, wall-mounted electrical
switches. Such switches may also perform gesture recognition of
hand movements to change modes that also do dimming operations, for
example.
[0136] Referring to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15A to 15C, some embodiments
may be configured to accommodate a situation in which swiping a
hand in front of a switch for a "Gesture" command may be difficult
to isolate which switch is intended to be operated. This may arise
in cases where switches may mounted closely side by side in a gang
box (two or more switches) as the hand can cover more than one
switch at any given time and activating the another switch on
either side of the switch to be controlled. This may be addressed,
in some cases, by having ganged switches 10 communicate with each
other to determine which switch sees the strongest signal (in terms
of reflected IR for example) and that switch then becomes the
master or dominant switch. A master switch may be determined by the
level of the return or reflected IR signal that the gesturing hand
in front of it provides. The switch with the highest IR return or
signal strength may then become the master controlling switch and
thus indicates this to the user by a predetermined front of switch
LED response (LED light can move in a predetermined direction or
with a change of color or both as this is manufacture programmable
function). When a switch is assigned as the master, then any
adjacent switch may be told to not operate until the user leaves or
pulls their hand away from the unit. This message may then be
communicated to all the switches by the gang box IR LED's by means
of a wired, or wireless message sent.
[0137] It some exemplary embodiments, a strategy of switch ganging
may be dependent on the direction of switching. For example, if the
switch unit is a directional switch or toggle switch, all other
ganged directional switches may then be disabled. In this case, IR
reflection signal strength (measured in the sensor) may be used as
a discriminator to decide which switch shall be on, and hence which
ganged switches shall be disabled. This design forces the user to
place more hand area or physical emphasis on the dominant (or
master) switch so that it dominates during the switching process.
Also, if the dominant switch is off and switches on, then this
dominant action should deactivate the other switches that may
otherwise switch-on. However, this should not over-rule the other
switches to switch-off if that action is not desired.
[0138] In some exemplary embodiments, in the event that a master
ganging switch is not used, switches may be ganged by using
gesturing as the dominance criterion. A switch is dominant when a
gesture event (like switch-ON, or switch-OFF) occurs before any
other switch would otherwise occur. For this purpose a simple
hardware IR diode may be strategically installed in each such
housing 10a, such as in or near one or more sides or corners
thereof, as shown at 90a and 90b in FIG. 13A. Referring to FIGS.
13A and 14, an IR transmitter diode 90 is installed at the upper
left and lower right of each switch, with an IR receiver diode 92
at the lower left and upper right. The action of deactivating the
non-dominant switch unit is to send a signal to the upper left of
each unit that deactivates all switches to the left of the dominant
switch. Conversely the dominant switch unit may send a signal to
the right of all switches at the base of the switch. Other ways of
deactivating the associated switches may be to send a wireless or
RF signal to other switch units by instructing them to deactivate.
Another approach is to use the IR sensing capability and send a
data signal using the gesture sensor components themselves. This
action may be somewhat more complex by requiring that the gesture
sensors be synchronized to receive a data signal from the dominant
switch unit. Communications as described herein between switch
devices, may occur between such devices immediately beside one
another, or may be distant or remote from one another, or
combinations thereof.
[0139] In some exemplary embodiments, by creating an in-line
communication link between switches other features may be
introduced. A dedicated receiver/transmitter may be designed to
receive wireless commands (IR or RF) and relay them to the switches
within the gang box. This device may have the same dimensions as
the switch and fit within the gang box but be a dedicated wireless
receiver and transmitter only. An advantage may be that a
relatively more costly unit may talk to lower cost switches, as
shown in FIG. 14. This dedicated switch may then serve the purpose
of doing only ganged switching for all switches in the ganged
arrangement, like switching all switched ON, or OFF. Programmed
switching may also be done using this configuration.
[0140] Referring to FIGS. 15A to 15C, a first sequence can be seen
in which, in FIG. 15A, three ganged switches 10 are in SLEEP mode.
FIG. 15b shows the instance in which a gesture is detected by a
center one of the three switches 10, which initiates the center
switch to be active, and to issue signals on the IR transmitters
90, which are then received by the left and right switches, by way
of their IR receivers 92. The ON center switch then responds to the
gesture, in this case an "up-swipe" and implements a change in the
status of the switch 10 in light thereof, for instance a transition
from OFF to ON, abruptly in a switch on mode, or a ramped
transition from OFF to ON in a dimmer mode. As can be seen in FIG.
15C, the left and right switches, on receiving the signal from the
IR transmitter 92 are now switched to an inactive state and are
both OFF, with the center switch being ON. In addition, the left
and right switches issue signals on their IR transmitters 92,
effectively to relay the signal received from the center switch to
a neighboring switch, should one be there.
[0141] FIGS. 16A to 16D shows a similar sequence to FIGS. 15A to
15C, in this case showing an exemplary version of the corresponding
changes of state of the LED display 24 resulting from the detection
and response to the gesture. In FIG. 16A, all switches in the gang
have a pair of aligned central LED zones lit in a sleep status
color, such as blue. On a central switch detecting a hand, as shown
in FIG. 16B, it immediately transitions to an active mode, with a
corresponding change of status color to active, such as green. On
the central switch transmitting the signals to the neighboring
switches, they transition from sleep status to overridden status,
such as red. In FIG. 16C, the central switch tracks the gesture, in
this example, with the LED display showing two paired LED sectors
moving upwardly, either to follow the hand gesture or to indicate
an active transitioning of the switch, while the remaining switches
are overridden. In FIG. 16D, with the gesture action finished, the
central switch, with the remaining switches are in SLEEP mode, with
the central switch now in a different switch state, such as ON.
[0142] Some exemplary embodiments may provide a motion detection
system built inside a light switch gesture sensor. The method is to
set the switch to a SLEEP state and define a threshold TH_2 that
awakens the switch depending on the environmental conditions. Such
conditions may include the presence of a moving body (person, pet,
object, or the like). The switch may then determine with a set of
sensing devices built into the switch housing or circuitry, a means
of detecting small changes in IR capture, small changes in
reception of passive IR, small changes in reception of external IR
from sunlight or external interfering IR. The light switch may be
set by a timer to go into SLEEP mode, but the switch may be
awakened by a threshold trigger that puts the switch into a NORMAL
operating state from SLEEP. Alternatively the NORMAL operation may
be defined as an ALARM state if sensors are triggered to indicate
that object movement is detected if the switch is decidedly put
into SLEEP to operate as a security alarm.
[0143] In some exemplary embodiments, a gesture switch may be
deployed as a motion detection device for security alarm purposes,
based on changing the mode of the sensor to detect IR reflections
at longer range. This may be done by using a single receiver or a
plurality of receivers and/or additional sensors to detect changes
in the environment. Other receivers or sensors may be used
generally for the switch alarm to make a better decision related to
detecting an alarm state.
[0144] Referring to FIG. 11, in some exemplary embodiments, a
switch sensor may be provided to communicate information in the
form of data bits to each other in a multiple access manner. Switch
devices 10 (or otherwise referred to as switch sensors) may be
assigned identifying codes for the purpose of indicating the source
of the data communication and each sensor has the means to receive
the data bits, by way of transceiver 94 from another similarly
configured switch device 10 or from an external device 78, such as
a smartphone, and perform meaningful actions associated with
switching. Such actions may include ganging enable or disable, as
well as master switch instructed switching action. Security
features may be built into the switch based on communication
between switch sensors. Such switch communication may not have to
occur just for adjacent ganged switches but for switches across the
room, or from remote action switches.
[0145] In some exemplary embodiments, a method of switch
communication may be based on using the emitter of one switch
sensor and transmitting a preamble data segment if signaling out to
any receiver that is part of another similar but unattached switch
sensor, in the vicinity of said transmitting switch sensor. The
receiver sensor of the receiving switch may synchronize with the
sending switch sensor, and decode the data and perform the task
requested. The sending and receiving switch sensors may operate on
the same carrier frequency (i.e. at 38 KHz) as the gesture-sensing
switch, with synchronized or common data send/receive protocols.
Alternatively, the sending and receiving switch sensors may choose
a different carrier frequency (like 56 KHz) to not interfere with
gesture sensing and switching operation. Such said communicating
switch sensors can transmit data packets of any kind such as switch
state, gang state, motion detection information, temperature,
ambient light levels, etc.
[0146] In some exemplary embodiments, switch sensor communication
may be used as an alternative to direct-wired or direct-path ganged
switches, with the advantage that some ganged switches do not have
close proximity to each other. Also, wireless transceiver 94
equipped switches have the additional advantages that may include
communication nodes for security purposes, or for communication
data for display purposes (i.e. for a switch with an LED display).
These transceivers may be used to relay data of various kinds
between similarly equipped switches, as well they may be used to be
ganged to a master switch 80 as shown in FIG. 13.
[0147] Referring to FIG. 11, in some exemplary embodiments switch
sensors may be configured to accept data communication from a
remote device (such as handheld IR remotes, RF devices,
Bluetooth.TM., BLE.TM., Wifi, Zigbee.TM., or the like). IR remotes
have the advantage that they are similar to switch-to-switch
communication mentioned earlier. However, the beams of IR remotes
may be trained at the switch and physically used to select the
switch needing activation. Referring to FIG. 12, if a beam 82 from
a remote 84 is trained or positioned toward the switch (such that
the switch changes color or indicates otherwise that it is being
alerted), then the remote may be externally gestured to activate ON
(for example) by the upward movement of the IR remote beam, and
conversely move down for the OFF state. This may be applied, for
example, to switches illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. It is also
possible for the remote to be moved in a circular fashion to
indicate that light dimming is required, by either the clockwise
movement (to increase light intensity) or counter-clockwise
movement (to decrease light intensity) of the IR remote. This may
be applied to switches illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1D.
[0148] Alternatively, in some exemplary embodiments, the IR remote
may be used with digital communication to select a "data-based"
gesture to activate the switch ON/OFF, apply dimming, or other
switch features. Other wireless devices associated with the switch
will act like a digital IR remote. This type of dimming can be done
using a smart-phone equipped with wireless transceiver 94
communication of the types mentioned earlier. A smart-phone,
tablet, laptop, notebook, or other portable computing device may be
enabled with an application software that allows switching and
dimming functions to occur by pressing radial buttons on the
smart-phone's touchscreen, or by applying a swipe gesture to the
touchscreen using said application software. Dimming controls can
be applied as a "fader" style control where the user can slide
their finger on the touchscreen in a linear or radial manner. The
smart-phone may send a data stream of control information through
to the switches wireless transceiver 94 to allow the switch CPU 33
to compute DI external from the said switch's gesture sensor.
[0149] In some exemplary embodiments other methods may be applied
to detect gestures for the purpose of making improved safe gesture
recognition in the event that there is sufficient external
interference to cause gesture sensing to fail. The alternative
methods of gesture detection would be to not use IR receiver tuned
to a specific carrier frequency (like 38 KHz) because there are
other IR devices (plasma TV's, incandescent bulbs, CFL's, and
natural phenomena like sunlight, etc.) that may directly interfere
with this carrier. Alternative IR remote receivers that sense at
other carrier frequencies like 10 KHz, and 56 KHz, have the
advantage that fewer devices use these carrier frequencies for
other purposes. Depending on the level of interference rejection
required it may be necessary to have a switch with multiple IR
receivers installed and allow the switch to choose a different
operating carrier depending on the level of interference in the
environment of said switch.
[0150] In some exemplary embodiments, if an IR based switch sensor
fails to operate completely, then there is a physical switch built
into the sensor such as shown in dashed lines at 98 in FIG. 3 (with
suitable provision made in the cover plate 12A for the switch to be
exposed outside thereof) that operates like a switch and dimmer
depending on the mode methods that are programmed into it.
Alternatively, the sensor circuit cover 12A may have one or two
micro tact switches mounted under it and on the sensor circuit
board. Applied micro pressure on the top end of the cover plate 12A
will activate the switch ON state when depressed, and the bottom
tact switch will activate the OFF state when depressed. Another
option for such a design feature is for the tact switches to simply
toggle regardless if the top or bottom switch is depressed. This is
optional for the design of the switch operation using a digital
tact switch and this will depend on user preference.
[0151] In some exemplary embodiments, an alternative approach to
fixed frequency carrier sensing may be to use a carrier frequency
that can be altered at any time to be received by a receiving unit
that can also have its receiving carrier adjusted to a different
but matching carrier frequency. Such a design of a receiving
circuit would require that the receiving circuit use an adjustable
Band-pass filter to allow for signal filtering at the required
carrier frequency. Such switch sensor circuits may need to use
other methods of measuring IR signal strength like A/D conversion
at the receiver end, or spread-spectrum methods to detect and
filter signals from multiple switches. An IR receiver of this kind
may need to be a custom built circuit that does not use common
low-cost remote receivers available, but has the flexibility to
reject IR interference using alternative signal processing
methods.
[0152] In some exemplary embodiments, use of an ambient IR light
detector mounted inside the transparent panel 12A of a switch may
also useful to measure IR interference. This feature may determine
if the IR detected is sufficient to cause saturation of the IR in
the receiver. Such a sensor may determine interference sources are
predominant and may require that the switch display that gesture
switching cannot be performed adequately. Another useful factor may
be if the transparent panel 12A is made of a material that
partially filters IR light, like around the 700 to 850 nm near IR
range, to suppress many sources of stray or interfering IR in the
household or industrial environments. Such an available material is
Acrylite FF (9K020) which is known to filter IR bands at
wavelengths less than 850 nm. This includes filtering all visible
light spectra making the cover plate 12A non-transparent hence
hiding the sensor from direct viewing. This material and other
suitable plastics are good enough to filter out the effects of
plasma TV's, incandescent bulbs, and CFL lights.
[0153] In some exemplary embodiments, an IR-based switch may be
used as a motion detector in the sense that the SLEEP threshold
TH_2, and the switching threshold TH_1 may be set to a very low
values. This may be useful for a variety of applications that may
aid security of a commercial or household setting, as well as an
economical feature to conserve electrical energy. In this case the
switching threshold is set to a low value typical of detecting
small changes in the IR reflection environment. If this threshold
is slightly greater than the background ambient levels of a room
area (due to ambient sources like sunlight or other light levels),
then motion of people or machinery can be detected to either
switch-ON the light or activate an alarm. Alternatively, a low
threshold can be used to switch-OFF a light in the absence of
motion detection. An IR-based sensor switch is not as sensitive as
a PIR switch would be to detect human IR radiation, but it can be
sensitive enough to detect motion changes at 950 nm if the receiver
is set to a sensitive setting by pulsing at a slower rate. This
kind of setting can allow the IR-switch to operate as a motion
detector for up to a 5 or 10 meter range.
[0154] In some exemplary embodiments, if an IR based switch
overheats due to the electrical load being higher than the
specified value, the IR sensor processor can use an enhanced method
to reduce the switch load power. The method of reducing power is
based on the sensor processor using an applied temperature sensor.
Most common processors on the market have built-in temperature
sensors and as such become useful for sensing an overheating
circuit. Typically if a triac overheats (due to a high power load)
the excess heat must be conducted to another metal surface to
dissipate. Methods of heat control may provide heat conductive
layers or traces, as shown at 86, such as with metals such as
copper, lead, tin, steel, metal alloys, as well as other heat
conductive not necessarily metallic, and the like to conduct heat
into a ground-plane or to the ground box of the switch. Other
methods may use the transformer iron core or other metal components
to dissipate heat. If these methods are not satisfactory, then
another approach is to use the triac to "dim" the load to reduce
triac power throughput. This approach would be to sense the
temperature and allow the switch processor to change the DIM
setting automatically or in some controlled manner. The approach
mentioned here could processor software to use a heat vs. dim
setting table. Another implementation is to simply switch-OFF the
load if the heat is excessive.
[0155] Referring to FIG. 17, in some exemplary embodiments, an IR
based switch may be configured to save energy by detecting that the
morning has arrived and hence will switch-OFF the light switch
load, if said light switch is active. This is an energy saving
feature utilizing sensors as described herein, and is based on
detecting that ambient light levels have gradually increased to an
acceptable level to warrant switching off the light. This feature
involves an active monitoring of ambient light intensity levels, by
way of ambient light sensor 96 in FIG. 11. The method is to detect
a profile in the ambient light measurements that contribute to the
switch-OFF decision, and then to collect one or more such profiles,
as shown at step 100. As an example, the energy saving procedure
may detect that ambient light has levels have risen from a lower
level determined from the time the light was switched on. A
"baseline ambient level" A.sub.BL may then be determined, at step
102, over a period of time that the switch is ON (which can include
human motion and shadowing activity), by the formula in step 102,
in which A.sub.OFF is the average-based level to initiate switch
off, and C is the difference measured between A.sub.OFF and the
average-based base line A.sub.BL. At step 106, the device may
continue to update a current average ambient light level, such as
by using a slow moving average calculation, to yield an updated
average-based A.sub.NEW. At 108, the device may then compare the
current average ambient level A.sub.NEW with the average-based
level to initiate switch off A.sub.OFF. If yes, the device switches
off the light at 110 and if no, the device reverts to step 106.
Thus, switch may ultimately detect that ambient light from
additional sunlight (or other sources) has gradually increased to
the level that warrants the light to be switched-OFF.
[0156] In some exemplary embodiments, relative measurement of the
emitter and receiver combination that can enable dimming. By moving
a human hand or any reflective object close to the sensor
apparatus, continuous sensing of 1) range, measured perpendicular
to the switch plate, can be measured continuously, and 2) lateral
displacement, measured parallel to the switch plate but between the
receivers mainly, can also be measured continuously. Dimming may be
accomplished by converting the touch-less hand movements into light
intensity values. To allow the continuous movement to be linear, a
processor coupled with random-access memory may use a look-up table
to correct for nonlinear effects and make the dimming movement
smooth and linear between the extremes, but abrupt and constant at
the extremes.
[0157] In some exemplary embodiments, a touch-less switch is
provided that uses a gesture sensing algorithm to detect motion
such that the user moves their hand up to change the switch state
to ON, and move the hand down over the switch-plate to change the
switch state to OFF. If the user continues to move their hand up
over the switch plate, the switch shall remain in the ON state, or
conversely, if the user moves their hand down repeatedly, the
switch will remain in the OFF state. If the user moves their hand
from "side-to-side" over the switch plate, the gesture sensing
algorithm shall be immune to false ON and OFF detects. The gesture
sensing algorithm uses intermediate states to detect whether a side
movement occurred and rejects this gesture.
[0158] In some exemplary embodiments, a function may be provided
for putting the processor to "SLEEP" when the sensor has not
performed any switching or dimming action for a timer period (for
example, 20 seconds). This is a mode that the switch enters into
when the switch needs to consume less power for applications where
power conservation is important (battery powered applications, for
example). When the sensor enters SLEEP mode the emitter and
receivers are not operational, but the sensor will periodically
"wake-up" (for example, every 0.5 seconds) to emit a short carrier
burst with a pulse sequence that is designed to detect a hand or
other object hovering nearby. If human hand or object movement is
detected then the sensor will power-up to full operation at the
maximum range measurement speed and resolution required to detect
the incoming gesture.
[0159] In some exemplary embodiments, the gesture algorithm may
incorporate a means to detect a gesture that allows for a change of
state between, for example, switching and dimming. The gesture
algorithm may detect, for example, a hand or object be placed over
the sensor apparatus and held stationary for to start a timer (for
say 2 seconds), this event may allow the switch to change mode from
ON/OFF switching to continuous dimming. Dimming mode may be
terminated by a timer allowing sufficient time for the user (for
example, about 10 seconds to alter the settings). Similar gesturing
may accomplish mode changes as similar but different gestural
recognition movements, and timing related changes, to alter the
switch modes.
[0160] In some exemplary embodiments, a common LED light powered by
line voltages has a power supply and two receiver and one emitter
gesture sensor built into the frame. The methods of powering may be
isolated or non-isolated, resistive, capacitive, diode-bridge
rectified, or transformer based, or combinations thereof. This
design allows for a power harvested solution for touch-less
switching and dimming (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).
[0161] In some exemplary embodiments, alternative electrical
switching applications may include: a wall based switch, a Triac
switch for phased-based switching and dimming, a DC powered switch
for LED or LED array lighting with current-based dimming, or
light-bulbs with a gesture switch sensor built-in (see FIG.
10).
[0162] Some exemplary embodiments, may provide a light switch
device comprising a switch output, a gesture sensor configured to
be responsive to gestures in a sensing zone adjacent the gesture
sensor, a controller in communication with the gesture sensor and
configured to carry out one or more switching actions to change an
operative switch mode at the output, in response to one or more
signals from the gesture sensor representing, at least in part,
selected ones of said gestures, an LED display associated with the
gesture sensor, the LED display being operable to present one or
more switching indications of the one or more switching actions.
The LED display may include a plurality of LED's, the LED display
configured to emit a plurality of colors, each color displaying a
designated switching indication. The LED display may include an
array of LED's along a peripheral region of the gesture sensor. The
LED display may include at least one signal transmissive cover
segment, the LED's being positioned behind the cover segment. The
LED display may be configured to provide a central LED sector
showing a first color representative of a sleep or inactive mode,
and a second color representative of an active mode. The LED
display may be configured to represent a changing switching action
as a transition to a higher LED light intensity or to a lower LED
light intensity of at least one of the LED's. The device of any one
of claims 26 to 31, the gesture sensor configured to detect a
moving gesture location, the LED display configured to activate one
or more LED's in progression to follow the moving gesture location,
or according to a ramped or designated pattern in response thereto.
The gesture sensor may be configured to detect a first sudden
gesture out of the sensing zone, the controller configured to set a
level intensity setting of the switch according to a current
level.
[0163] One or more exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may
provide a device which is capable of switching and dimming
functions in a light device, which may in some cases provide
sensors which enable gesture detection that may allow a switch
sensor to carry out one or more of the following features: 1)
complex gesture detection, 2) change of operation mode, 3)
continuous sensing operation as opposed to discrete operation, 4)
multiple sensor arrangements for hand and finger detection, 5)
external sensor triggering, and 6) security and energy saving
features based on motion and ambient light detection.
[0164] In some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method
comprising sensing an appendage in a three-dimensional (3D) space
disposed in front of a switch device; processing the sensed
appendage to detect at least one gesture made by a user within said
3D space and performing an action associated with the at least one
gesture.
[0165] In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one gesture is
associated with a control command for circuitry coupled to the
switch device.
[0166] In some exemplary embodiments, the appendage comprises at
least one of the user's hand, foot and digits.
[0167] In some exemplary embodiments, the switch device comprises a
plurality of lighting elements responsive to the at least one
gesture.
[0168] In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of lighting
elements comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs).
[0169] In some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a switch
device for controlling circuitry coupled thereto, said switch
device comprising a faceplate, at least one sensor for detecting
movement of a user's hand in a three-dimensional (3D) space
disposed in front of said cover plate. Also provided is a processor
for determining at least one gesture made by the user's hand within
said 3D space and providing a control signal associated with said
at least one gesture to said circuitry.
[0170] In some exemplary embodiments, a plurality of lighting
elements are responsive to the at least one gesture. In this case,
the plurality of lighting elements comprise light emitting diodes
(LEDs).
[0171] In some exemplary embodiments, the circuitry places a light
between an electrical on state and an electrical off state, and the
LEDs provide a visual indication of said electrical state.
[0172] In some exemplary embodiments, the circuitry controls an
intensity of a light, and said LEDs provide a visual indication of
the intensity.
[0173] In some exemplary embodiments, the sensor comprises at least
one emitter emitting electromagnetic radiation for reflection by
said user's hand and detected by at least one receiver.
[0174] In another exemplary embodiment, there is provided an input
method for controlling an apparatus, comprising mapping a plurality
of hand gestures to corresponding control commands; sensing a
user's hand in a three-dimensional (3D) space disposed in front of
said apparatus; processing said sensed user's hand to detect at
least one of said plurality of hand gestures; extracting a control
command corresponding to at least one of said plurality of hand
gestures; and executing said control command.
[0175] While the present disclosure describes various exemplary
embodiments, the disclosure is not so limited. To the contrary, the
disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and
equivalent arrangements, as will be readily appreciated by the
person of ordinary skill in the art.
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