Apparatus and method for displaying operating characteristics on status indicators
View Patent ↗A user interface for a load control device allows a user to control an operating characteristic of a load to a plurality of discrete levels. The user interface comprises an adjustment member for allowing the user to select one of the discrete levels and a linear array of status indicators for displaying the discrete level. The number of discrete levels is greater than the number of status indicators. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, either one status indicator or two consecutive status indicators are illuminated to indicate the presently selected discrete level. According to a second embodiment, a fully illuminated status indicator is surrounded by two dimly illuminated status indicators to indicate the presently selected discrete level. According to a third embodiment, a single status indicator may be illuminated to indicate one or more of the discrete levels.
1. A user interface for a load control device for allowing a user to control an operating characteristic of a load to a plurality M of discrete levels, comprising:
an adjustment member for allowing the user to select one of the M discrete levels; and
a plurality N of illuminable status indicators arranged in a linear array for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of the M discrete levels,
the number M greater than the number N and equal to (2*N—1),
each of the M discrete levels indicated by a unique combination of illuminated status indicators selected from the group consisting of one illuminated status indicator and two consecutive illuminated status indicators;
wherein one status indicator X 1 is illuminated to indicate the discrete level L if L is odd, where X 1 equals ((L+1)/2), and two consecutive status indicators X 2 and X 3 are simultaneously illuminated to indicate the discrete level L if L is even, where X 2 equals (L/2) and X 3 equals (L/2+1).
2. A method for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of a plurality M of discrete levels on a plurality N of illuminable status indicators arranged in a linear array, the number M greater than the number N and equal to (2*N−1), the method comprising the steps of:
illuminating one status indicator X 1 if the presently selected discrete level L is odd, where X 1 equals ((L+1)/2); and
simultaneously illuminating two consecutive status indicators X 2 and X 3 if the presently selected discrete level L is even, where X 2 equals (L/2+1).
3. A method for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of a plurality M of discrete levels on a plurality N of illuminable status indicators arranged in a linear array, the number M greater than the number N, the method comprising the step of:
illuminating one status indicator X to indicate a plurality K of discrete levels, such that X equals FLOOR[{L+2*(K−1)}/K] and 2≦K≦3;
wherein M equals (K*(N−2)+2).
4. A user interface for a load control device for allowing a user to control an operating characteristic of a load to a plurality M of discrete levels, comprising:
an adjustment member for allowing the user to select one of the M discrete levels; and
a plurality N of illuminable status indicators for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of the M discrete levels, the N status indicators arranged in a linear array;
wherein the number M is greater than the number N; and
wherein first, second, and third consecutive status indicators X 1 , X 2 , X 3 are illuminated to indicate the discrete level L.
5. The user interface of claim 4 , wherein the first consecutive status indicator X 1 and the third consecutive status indicator X 3 are illuminated to a dim level.
6. The user interface of claim 4 , wherein M equals (N+2).
7. The user interface of claim 4 , wherein to indicate the discrete level L for 1≦l≦M,
X 1 equals (L−2) and is illuminated if and only if 1≦X 1 ≦N;
X 2 equals (L−1) and is illuminated if and only if 1≦X 2 ≦N; and
X 3 equals L and is illuminated if and only if 1≦X 3 ≦N.
8. A user interface for a load control device for allowing a user to control an operating characteristic of a load to a plurality M of discrete levels, comprising:
an adjustment member for allowing the user to select one of the M discrete levels; and
a plurality N of illuminable status indicators for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of the M discrete levels, the N status indicators arranged in a linear array;
wherein
the number M is greater than the number N;
one status indicator X is illuminated to indicate a plurality K of discrete levels with2≦K≦3;
M equals (K*(N−2)+2); and
to indicate the discrete level L, X equals FLOOR[{L+2*(K−1)}/K].
9. A method for indicating a presently selected discrete level L of a plurality M of discrete levels on a plurality N of illuminable status indicators arranged in a linear array, the number M greater than the number N, the method comprising the step of:
illuminating first, second, and third consecutive status indicators X 1 , X 2 , X 3 to indicate the discrete level L.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of illuminating comprises:
illuminating the second consecutive status indicator X 2 to a full level; and
illuminating the first consecutive status indicator X 1 and the third consecutive status indicator X 3 to a dim level, the dim level having an intensity substantially less than the full level.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein M equals (N+2).
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of illuminating comprises:
illuminating the first consecutive status indicator X 1 , such that X 1 equals (L−2), if and only if 1≦X 1 ≦N;
illuminating the second consecutive status indicator X 2 , such that X 2 equals (L−1), if and only if 1≦X 2 ≦N; and
illuminating the third consecutive status indicator X 3 , such that X 3 equals L, if and only if 1≦X 3 ≦N;
wherein 1≦L≦M.