Methods and apparatus for controlling lighting based on combination of inputs

• US 10,051,707 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2017
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Lighting BV (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Deixler, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Tan, Vibol
• Application Number:
  US15/592,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20170251536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for lighting control based on a combination of inputs. One or more properties of light output of a lighting fixture (120A, 120B, 120C) are controlled based on local input (based on local sensor readings) and group input (provided to the lighting fixture and additional lighting fixtures) and/or one or more sensors (125A, 125B) are auto-calibrated. For example, in some embodiments a lighting controller (130A) of a lighting fixture may receive both the local input and the group input and control a dimming level of a light source (150A) of the lighting fixture based on the local input and the group input. For example, the local input may be based on input from a local sensor that is indicative of a light level near the lighting fixture and the group input may be indicative of a desired group level of dimming.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting lighting, comprising:

receiving first local input at a first lighting fixture, the first local input indicative of one of light levels near the first lighting fixture, occupancy status near the first lighting fixture, and environmental conditions near the first lighting fixture;

receiving group input at the first lighting fixture, the group input indicating a dimming level to control the dimming state of the first lighting fixture and the dimming state of the second lighting fixture;

determining the dimming state of a first light source of the first lighting fixture based on the group input and the first local input;

receiving second local input at a second lighting fixture, the second local input indicative of one of light levels near the second lighting fixture, occupancy status near the second lighting fixture, and environmental conditions near the second lighting fixture;

receiving the group input at the second lighting fixture; and

determining the dimming state of a second light source of the second lighting fixture based on the group input and the second local input.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, at a first time, that the first local input is indicative of a dimming level that produces less light from the first light source than the dimming level indicated by the group input, and controlling the dimming state of the first light source based on the first local input.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, at the first time, that the second local input is indicative of a dimming level that produces more light from the second light source than the dimming level indicated by the group input; and

controlling the dimming state of the second light source based on the group input.