Initialization of wireless-controlled lighting systems

• US 20040201448A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ling Wang
• Original Assignee: Ling Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Ling
• Granted Patent: US 6,859,644 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/3.43
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/199 Commissioning of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/908 Local area network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/91 Carrier sense multiple access, e.g. ethernet, 10base-t

Abstract

A method of initializing system components of a wireless-controlled lighting system. The system components include a remote control and a plurality of lighting units which communicate with a control master for the system via commonly-received radio communications. In order to become part of the system, each component transmits a respective request for initialization. A local control master for the system responds to each request, in turn, by allocating and transmitting a unique ID code for the requesting component. It then transmits a verify command to the requesting component which, if it has received the ID code, signals the user affirmatively.

Claims

1. In a wireless-controlled lighting system including system components and a control master which communicate via commonly-received wireless transmissions, a method of initializing said system components, said method comprising:

a. transmission by one of the system components of a request for initialization;

b. allocation and transmission by the control master of a unique ID code for the requesting system component, said transmission also being receivable by ones of the system components other than the requesting system component;

c. transmission by the control master of a verification signal indicating that the ID code has been transmitted;

d. transmission by the requesting system component of an affirmative response to the verification signal if the transmitted ID code has been received;

e. if the affirmative response is not received by the control master, transmission by the control master of a signal indicating that an error has occurred;

f. if the affirmative response is received by the control master, storing the ID code allocated to the requesting component.

2. A method as in claim 1 where one of the system components comprises a remote control.

3. A method as in claim 1 where one of the system components comprises a lighting unit.

4. A method as in claim 1 where the requesting system component identifies itself as a specific type of component.

5. A method as in claim 4 where the control master initializes a remote control type of system component before initializing lighting unit types of system components.

6. A method as in claim 1 where the verification signal is in the form of a radio signal.

7. A method as in claim 1 where the verification signal is in the form of a visual signal.

8. A method as in claim 7 where the verification signal is in the is form of a flashing light.

9. A method as in claim 1 where the system component transmits the request for enumeration automatically upon powering up.

10. A method as in claim 9 where the system component is a lighting unit.

11. A method as in claim 1 where one of the system components comprises a sensor.

12. A method as in claim 1 where each the requesting system component has a pre-assigned ID number.

13. A method as in claim 1 where the affirmative response is user initiated.