Network access coordination of load control devices
An apparatus may control the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, and may comprise a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also comprise a controller that may be operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit operable to communicate via a first protocol and to join a first wireless communication network operable to communicate via the first protocol. The first wireless communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The controller may be operative to determine a first condition for communicating via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to join the first wireless communication network upon the first condition being satisfied.
1. An apparatus for controlling power delivered to at least one electrical load, the apparatus comprising:
a controller;
a first wireless communication circuit coupled to the controller, the first wireless communication circuit operable to communicate via a first protocol and operable to join a first wireless communication network operable for communication via the first protocol; and
a second wireless communication circuit coupled to the controller, the second wireless communication circuit operable to communicate via a second protocol;
wherein the controller is configured to:
communicate load control signals via the second protocol via the second wireless communication circuit with one or more load control devices;
determine a first condition for communicating via the first protocol; and
control the first wireless communication circuit to join the first wireless communication network and execute a task via the first wireless communication network in response to determining the first condition.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to disconnect from the first wireless communication network after a predetermined time.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to disconnect from the first wireless communication network after completing the task.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to disconnect from the first wireless communication network in response to receiving a disconnect signal from another device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first condition comprises an internal trigger to access the first wireless communication network.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first condition comprises a message received via the second wireless communication network, the message comprising a request to join the first wireless communication network.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the task comprises receiving one of firmware upgrade data, configuration data, or database data via the first wireless communication network.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive network access information for the first wireless communication network in a digital message received via the second wireless communication network.
9. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising:
a sensor circuit configured to generate a signal that is received by the control circuit.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the internal trigger comprises a change in the signal generated by the sensor circuit, the control circuit configured to join the first wireless communication network in response to detecting the change in the signal generated by the sensor circuit and to transmit a message including information regarding the change in the signal generated by the sensor circuit via the first wireless communication network.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the change in the signal generated by the sensor circuit indicates an occupancy or vacancy condition in an area in which the wireless control device is installed, the control circuit configured to include information regarding the occupancy or vacancy condition in the message transmitted via the first wireless communication network.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the change in the signal generated by the sensor circuit indicates a change in an ambient light level in an area in which the wireless control device is installed, the control circuit configured to include information regarding the ambient light level in the message transmitted via the first wireless communication network.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate with a wireless router or a smart phone via the first wireless network.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controllably conductive device in communication with the controller; and
wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive a message via the second protocol; and
control, based on the received message, the controllably conductive device.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate high-bandwidth data via the first protocol and to communicate low-bandwidth data via the second protocol.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first protocol is a wireless Internet Protocol (IP) based protocol.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the second protocol is a Bluetooth protocol.