IP Library Patent Application 12118318
Patent Application
App. No. 12/118,318

Display With Motion Sensor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/118,318
Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a display device for interfacing with a control and/or automation system. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for an improved display device for interfacing with a control and/or automation system, wherein the electronic display device includes a motion sensor or the like. In exemplary embodiments, the motion sensor is configured to detect at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being, the non-contact motion sensor also being configured to activate and/or adjust the illumination/light level of the display/screen from a first illumination/light level to a second illumination/light level when the non-contact motion sensor detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being.

Claims (45)

1 . A display device comprising:

a screen adapted to display information related to an automation system, the screen having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a non-contact motion sensor configured to detect at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being; and

wherein the non-contact motion sensor is configured to activate or adjust the illumination level of the screen from the first illumination level to the second illumination level when the non-contact motion sensor detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being.

2 . The device of claim 1 wherein the screen is selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a light-emitting diode (LED) screen, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen, a plasma or plasma display panel (PDP) screen and a cathode ray tube (CRT) screen.

3 . The device of claim 1 wherein the screen further comprises a touchscreen.

4 . The device of claim 1 wherein the screen is a self-illuminating screen.

5 . The device of claim 1 wherein the non-contact motion sensor is selected from the group consisting of a pyro infra-red (PIR) sensor, a RF field disruption sensor, a capacitive field change sensor, a light level sensor, a reflective light measurement sensor and an acoustic sensor.

6 . The device of claim 1 wherein the screen is in communication with at least one master controller of the automation system, and wherein the screen further comprises a station bus configured to allow two-way communication between the screen and the master controller.

7 . The device of claim 1 wherein the screen further comprises at least one auxiliary input configured to receive data from external devices.

8 . The device of claim 1 wherein the first illumination level is non-illuminated.

9 . The device of claim 1 wherein the non-contact motion sensor has adjustable motion or proximity sensitivity levels.

10 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first screen illumination level control configured to allow a user to adjust the illumination of the first illumination level; and

a second screen illumination level control configured to allow a user to adjust the illumination of the second illumination level.

11 . The device of claim 1 further comprising a housing and an IR receiver; and

wherein the screen, non-contact motion-sensor and IR receiver are mounted with respect to the housing.

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the IR receiver is configured to receive command signals from a remote to control at least one electrical device connected to the automation system.

13 . The device of claim 11 further comprising a communications port mounted with respect to the housing.

14 . The device of claim 1 further comprising a non-contact motion sensor control configured to allow a user to adjust the sensitivity level of the non-contact motion sensor.

15 . The device of claim 1 wherein the screen further comprises at least one of the following: an external power supply input, at least one auxiliary input and a station bus.

16 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a housing;

a first antenna in communication with at least one master controller of the automation system, the first antenna configured to send load control or status information to the master controller and to receive load control or status information from the master controller; and

wherein the screen, non-contact motion sensor and first antenna are mounted with respect to the housing.

17 . The device of claim 16 further comprising a second antenna in communication with a docking station, the second antenna configured to receive audio or video data from the docking station.

18 . The device of claim 16 wherein the housing is configured and dimensioned to be hand-held by a user.

19 . The device of claim 16 wherein the housing further comprises at least one connection configured to allow a user to releasably engage the housing to a docking station.

20 . The device of claim 16 further comprising an IR receiver mounted with respect to the housing.

21 . The device of claim 16 further comprising a light sensor mounted with respect to the housing.

22 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a housing;

a radio transceiver in communication with a docking station, the radio transceiver configured to receive video or audio data from the docking station;

a radio transmitter in communication with at least one master controller of the automation system, the radio transmitter configured to send load control signals to the at least one master controller of the automation system; and

wherein the screen, non-contact motion sensor, radio transceiver and radio transmitter are mounted with respect to the housing.

23 . A display device comprising:

a screen adapted to display information related to an automation system, the screen having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a non-contact motion sensor configured to detect at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being;

wherein the non-contact motion sensor is configured to activate or adjust the illumination level of the screen from the first illumination level to the second illumination level when the non-contact motion sensor detects at least one of motion or proximity of a human being; and

wherein the motion sensor is configured to adjust the screen illumination from the second illumination level to the first illumination level after a specific amount of time has elapsed from when the non-contact motion sensor last detected at least one of motion or proximity of a human being.

24 . The device of claim 23 wherein the specific amount of time may be adjusted.

25 . A display device comprising:

a display means for displaying information related to an automation system, the display means having adjustable illumination levels that include at least a first illumination level and a second illumination level;

a non-contact sensor means for detecting at least one of motion or proximity of a human being without being contacted by the human being; and

wherein the non-contact sensor means is configured to activate or adjust the illumination level of the screen from the first illumination level to the second illumination level.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Jun 24, 2009
From: VANTAGE CONTROLS, INC.
To: LEGRAND HOME SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022856/0956 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2008
From: PATTEN, DANIEL; CHANDLER, SCOTT S.; CLEGG, PAUL T.; MCDANIEL, JOHN
To: VANTAGE CONTROLS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020969/0792 →