A control device configured for use in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device may include an antenna and an actuation member having a front surface defining a touch sensitive surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device may include a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, an antenna PCB connected to the main PCB, a tactile switch(es), a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The antenna may extend substantially perpendicular from the main PCB through an opening in the yoke and into a cavity defined by the actuation member and the yoke.

A switch apparatus adapted to be disposed on a wall surface includes a box, a heat generating element, a cover, a switch element, and a first heat dissipation structure. The box has an opening and is adapted to be embedded into the wall surface. The heat generating element is disposed inside the box. The cover is assembled to the box and covers the opening. The cover has a front surface and a rear surface opposite to each other. The rear surface faces toward the box, and the front surface is adapted to be exposed from the wall surface. The switch element is disposed on the front surface. The first heat dissipation structure includes first and second sections connected with each other. The first section is connected with the cover and exposed from the front surface, and the second section extends into the box and contacts the heat generating element.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an ornamental system, apparatus and method that is dynamically modifiable. Embodiments of the ornament system comprise a processor, at least one ornamental member and a data controller. The processor is a computer or similar device that stores data for transmission. The ornamental member is configured to receive and display data stored in a database. Embodiments of the present invention can be coupled to other ornamental systems across a wide area network, wherein users can share data files for display.

A control pod includes a controller to control an environmental condition in a space, and a cover plate covering the controller and having a light transmissive area extending along a substantial section of an outer perimeter of the cover plate. Programming configures a processor to detect user inputs of a control command based on a user action detected via user input response sensors, and based on the detected control command, send a control signal to a device to implement a function corresponding to the detected control command. The processor also controls a light source to selectively provide a light output through the light transmissive area of the cover plate for a period of time following the control command detection, as visible feedback corresponding to the detected control command, for observation by the user, along at least a portion of the section of the light transmissive area of the cover plate.

A switch apparatus adapted to be disposed on a wall surface includes a box, a heat generating element, a cover, a switch element, and a first heat dissipation structure. The box has an opening and is adapted to be embedded into the wall surface. The heat generating element is disposed inside the box. The cover is assembled to the box and covers the opening. The cover has a front surface and a rear surface opposite to each other. The rear surface faces toward the box, and the front surface is adapted to be exposed from the wall surface. The switch element is disposed on the front surface. The first heat dissipation structure includes first and second sections connected with each other. The first section is connected with the cover and exposed from the front surface, and the second section extends into the box and contacts the heat generating element.

An electronic circuit including a microchip for use as an intelligent user interface also comprises touch sensor technology that differentiates between proximity and physical contact events to activate and control various loads including light bulbs, products with radio frequency circuitry or electric motors. An input to the microchip is connected to a switch or sensing structure that does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The electronic circuit controls various functions in response to user actions including automatic delayed shut-off functions, find-in-the-dark indicator and power source level/product state indications. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input. The microchip is further configured to interpret and react to the signals received from a user in a way that enhances ease of use of the product and to use the indicators to provide information to the user that is influenced by the signals received as well as the state of the product.

An electronic circuit including a microchip for use as an intelligent user interface also comprises touch sensor technology that differentiates between proximity and physical contact events to activate and control various loads including light bulbs, products with radio frequency circuitry or electric motors. An input to the microchip is connected to a switch or sensing structure that does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The electronic circuit controls various functions in response to user actions including automatic delayed shut-off functions, find-in-the-dark indicator and power source level/product state indications. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input. The microchip is further configured to interpret and react to the signals received from a user in a way that enhances ease of use of the product and to use the indicators to provide information to the user that is influenced by the signals received as well as the state of the product.

A control device configured for use in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device may include an antenna and an actuation member having a front surface defining a touch sensitive surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device may include a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, an antenna PCB connected to the main PCB, a tactile switch(es), a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The antenna may extend substantially perpendicular from the main PCB through an opening in the yoke and into a cavity defined by the actuation member and the yoke.

A control device configured for use in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device may include an antenna and an actuation member having a front surface defining a touch sensitive surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device may include a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, an antenna PCB connected to the main PCB, a tactile switch(es), a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The antenna may extend substantially perpendicular from the main PCB through an opening in the yoke and into a cavity defined by the actuation member and the yoke.

A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an electrical load external to the control device may comprise an actuation member having a front surface defining a capacitive touch surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, a tactile switch, a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control device also includes a capacitive touch PCB that comprises a touch sensitive circuit comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads located on the capacitive touch PCB and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the capacitive touch surface.