Self-determining a configuration of a light fixture

• US 10,375,798 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2016
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Building Robotics, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Enlighted, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Mohan, Tanuj, Gershowitz, Michael N., Gordon, Gaile
• Primary Examiner(s): McAndrew, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US15/334,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20180116033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 324414
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4204 with determination of ambient light solar light G01J2001/4266
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/4247 for testing lamps or other light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/44 Testing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/24 using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An apparatuses, methods, and systems of determining a configuration of a lighting fixture are disclosed. One embodiment method includes setting a lighting control level of a first channel control line of the lighting fixture to a plurality of levels, setting a lighting control level of a second channel control line of the lighting fixture to a plurality of levels, sensing an amount of power dissipated by the lighting fixture, comparing the sensed amount of power dissipated for each of the plurality of levels, and determining a configuration of the lighting fixture based upon the comparing of the sensed amount of power for each of the plurality of lighting control levels for the first channel and the second channel.

Claims

1. A method of determining a configuration of a lighting fixture, comprising:

setting, by a controller of the lighting fixture, a lighting control level of a first channel control line of the lighting fixture to a plurality of levels, wherein the first channel control line is configured to control a light intensity emitted from a first light when the first channel control line is properly connected the first light, and wherein the second channel control line is connected to a second driver;

setting, by the controller of the lighting fixture, a lighting control level of a second channel control line of the lighting fixture to a plurality of levels, wherein the second channel control line is configured to control a light intensity emitted from a second light when the second channel control line is properly connected the second light, and wherein the first channel control line is connected to a first driver;

sensing an amount of power dissipated by the lighting fixture, for each of the plurality of levels of the lighting control level of the first channel control line and for each of the plurality of levels of the lighting control level of the second channel control line;

comparing to one another the sensed amount of power dissipated for each of the plurality of levels;

determining a configuration of the lighting fixture based upon the comparing of the sensed amount of power for each of the plurality of lighting control levels for the first channel and the second channel,

controlling opening and closing of a relay within the controller, wherein the relay is operative electrically connect electrical power to the first driver and the second driver;

sensing an amount of power dissipated by the lighting fixture when the relay is open and closed; and

determining whether the controller electrically connected properly based on a comparison of the sensed amount of power dissipated by the lighting fixture when the relay is open and closed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the lighting control level of the first channel control line of the lighting fixture to the plurality of levels and setting the lighting control level of the second channel comprises at least setting the lighting control of the first channel control line to approximately 100% and the lighting control of the second channel control line to approximately 0%, and further comprising sensing a first sensed power level of the fixture, and confirming that the first sensed power level is greater than a first predetermined threshold.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein setting the lighting control level of the first channel control line control line of the lighting fixture to the plurality of levels and setting the lighting control level of the second channel control line comprises at least setting the lighting control of the first channel to approximately 50% and the lighting control of the second channel control line to approximately 50%, and further comprising sensing a second sensed power level of the fixture, and determining that the lighting fixture is a single channel lighting fixture if the second sense power level is less than a predetermined ratio of the first sensed power lever, and determining the lighting fixture is a duel channel lighting fixture if the second sensed power level is greater than the predetermined ratio of the first sensed power level.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein setting the lighting control level of the first channel control line of the lighting fixture to the plurality of levels and setting the lighting control level of the second channel control line comprises at least setting the lighting control of the first channel control line to approximately 100% and the lighting control of the second channel control line to approximately 100%, and further comprising sensing a third sensed power level of the fixture, and determining that the first channel control line and the second channel control line are properly connected if the third sensed power level is greater than the first sensed power level and the second sensed power level.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein setting the lighting control level of the first channel control line of the lighting fixture to the plurality of levels and setting the lighting control level of the second channel control line comprises at least setting the lighting control of the first channel control line to approximately 0% and the lighting control of the second channel control line to approximately 100%, and further comprising sensing a third sensed power level of the fixture, and determining that the first channel control line and the second channel control line are properly connected if a second predetermine ratio of the third sensed power level is less than a sum of the first sensed power level and the second sensed power level, and the sum of the first sensed power level and the second sensed power level is less than a third predetermine ratio of the third sensed power level, and the fourth sensed power level is less than a fourth predetermine ration of the third sensed power level.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring an intensity of light emitted from the first light and the second light for each of the plurality of levels of the lighting control level of the first channel control line and for each of the plurality of levels of the lighting control level of the second channel control line;

comparing the measuring the intensity of light for each of the plurality of levels; and

further determining the configuration of the lighting fixture based upon the measuring of the intensity of light for each of the plurality of levels for the first channel control line and the second channel control line.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sensing, by an ambient light sensor, levels of received light for different ranges of wavelengths.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the sensing, by the ambient light sensor, is performed after determining the light fixture is in a controlled environment.

9. The method of claim 7, identifying at least one of the first channel and the second channel as a particular color based on the sensed levels of received light for different ranges of wavelengths.

10. The method of claim 9, identifying at least one of the first channel and the second channel as a warm light based on the sensed levels of received light for different ranges of wavelengths.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein identifying at least one of the first channel and the second channel as a warm light comprises determining a ratio of sensed red light to sensed blue light.

12. The method of claim 9, identifying at least one of the first channel and the second channel as a cool light based on the sensed levels of received light for different ranges of wavelengths.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein identifying at least one of the first channel and the second channel as a cool light comprises determining a ratio of sensed red light to sensed blue light.

14. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a first channel control line configured to control a light intensity emitted from a first light of the lighting fixture when properly connected, wherein the first channel control line is connected to a first driver;

a second channel configured to control a light intensity emitted from a second light of the lighting fixture when properly connected, wherein the second channel control line being is connected to a second driver;

a power meter configured to sense power dissipated by the light fixture;

a controller including a relay, wherein the relay is configured to electrically connect electrical power to the first driver and the second driver, the controller configured to;

set a lighting control level of the first channel control line of the lighting fixture to a plurality of levels;

set a lighting control level of the second channel control line of the lighting fixture to a plurality of levels;

receive from the power meter a sensed amount of power dissipated by the lighting fixture, for each of the plurality of levels of the lighting control level of the first channel control line and for each of the plurality of levels of the lighting control level of the second channel control line;

compare to one another the sensed amount of power dissipated for each of the plurality of levels;

determine a configuration of the lighting fixture based upon the comparing of the sensed amount of power for each of the plurality of lighting control levels for the first channel control line and the second channel control line;

control opening and closing of the relay, wherein the relay is operative electrically connect electrical power to the first driver and the second driver;

receive a sensed an amount of power dissipated by the lighting fixture when the relay is open and closed from the power meter; and

determine whether the controller electrically connected properly based on a comparison of the sensed amount of power dissipated by the lighting fixture when the relay is open and closed.

15. The light fixture of claim 14, further comprising:

an ambient light sensor configured to measure an intensity of light emitted from the first light and the second light for each of the plurality of levels of the lighting control level of the first channel control line and for each of the plurality of levels of the lighting control level of the second channel control line;

wherein the controller is operative to;

compare the measuring the intensity of light for each of the plurality of levels; and

determine the configuration of the lighting fixture based upon the measuring of the intensity of light for each of the plurality of levels for the first channel control line and the second channel control line.

16. The light fixture of claim 14, further comprising:

an ambient light sensor operative to sense levels of received light for different ranges of wavelengths.