Configurable Wall-Mount Touch Screen Switch

Abstract

A configurable wall mount light switch for use in controlling multiple light fixtures. In one embodiment, the switch includes a touch screen display, a transceiver and a programmable microcontroller. The microcontroller may be programmed to display a plurality of interface elements on the touch screen display for selection by a user to control one or more light fixtures. Typically, the switch is dimensioned to be received by a single gang electrical box.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A configurable wall mount switch for use in controlling multiple light fixtures, the switch comprising:
 a touch screen display;   a transceiver;   a programmable microcontroller configured to generate a user interface on the touch screen display with a plurality of interface elements at least a portion of which are associated with one or more lighting fixtures, wherein in response to a user selecting an interface element of the plurality of interface elements, the microcontroller is configured to send a message via the transceiver for controlling at least one lighting fixture associated with the selected interface element;   a mounting box configured to receive the touch screen display, the transceiver, and the microcontroller;   wherein the mounting box is dimensioned to be received by a single gang electrical box; and   wherein the microcontroller is programmed to display a particular arrangement of one or more interface elements on the touch screen display in response to one or more messages received via the transceiver.   
     
     
         2 . The switch as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is programmed to reconfigure the arrangement of the user interface in response to one or more messages received via the transceiver. 
     
     
         3 . The switch as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is programmed to change a textual component associated with an interface element in response to one or more messages received via the transceiver. 
     
     
         4 . The switch as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is programmed to increase or decrease a number of interface elements on the user interface in response to one or more messages received via the transceiver. 
     
     
         5 . The switch as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of buttons that are associated with one or more light fixtures. 
     
     
         6 . The switch as recited in  claim 5 , where the microcontroller is programmed to increase or decrease the number of buttons responsive to one or more messages received via the transceiver. 
     
     
         7 . The switch as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the microcontroller is programmed to change one or more descriptions associated with the one or more buttons responsive to one or more messages received via the transceiver. 
     
     
         8 . The switch as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a wall cover plate connectable with the mounting box, wherein the wall cover plate includes an opening through which a user accesses the touch screen display. 
     
     
         9 . The switch as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the touch screen display extends into the opening in the wall cover plate. 
     
     
         10 . The switch as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the wall cover plate is dimensioned for a single gang electrical box. 
     
     
         11 . The switch as recited in  claim 1 , wherein in response to a selection of an interface element, the microcontroller is configured to send a message via the transceiver concerning a change in state to one or more light fixtures associated with the selected interface element. 
     
     
         12 . The switch as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a voltage monitor electrically connected with the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is configured to send message including a voltage sensed by the voltage monitor via the transceiver. 
     
     
         13 . The switch as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to send the message with the voltage sensed in response to a request message received via the transceiver. 
     
     
         14 . The switch as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a voltage monitor electrically connected with the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is configured to display a voltage sensed by the voltage monitor on the touch screen display responsive to selection of an interface element. 
     
     
         15 . The switch as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising memory in electrical connection with the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller stores address data in the memory responsive to a message including address data received via the transceiver. 
     
     
         16 . The switch as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to display the address data on the touch screen display responsive to selection of an interface element. 
     
     
         17 . A configurable wall mount light switch, the switch comprising:
 a touch screen display;   a memory;   a transceiver;   a microcontroller in electronic connection with the touch screen display, memory and transceiver, wherein the microcontroller is configured to generate a user interface on the touch screen display with a plurality of interface elements at least a portion of which are associated with one or more lighting fixtures; and   wherein the microcontroller is programmed with machine-readable instructions to:   display instructions on the touch screen display directing a user to select a portion of the touch screen display to initiate setup;   responsive to selection of the touch screen display, transmit a message requesting an address assignment via the transceiver;   receive a message including an address assignment via the transceiver; and   store the address assignment on the memory.   
     
     
         18 . The switch as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to display the address assignment on the touch screen display responsive to selection of an interface element. 
     
     
         19 . The switch as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the light switch is dimensioned to be received by a single gang electrical box. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assigning an address to a light switch having a touch screen display, the method comprising:
 displaying instructions on the touch screen display directing a user to select a portion of the touch screen display to initiate setup;   initiating communication with a remote server by sending a message requesting an address responsive to selection of the touch screen display;   receiving a message from the remote server that includes an address assignment; and   storing the address assignment.