System bridge and timeclock for RF controlled lighting systems

• US 20050232289A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Kruse, Glen Andrew, Keagy, Jon Michael, Craze, Jason Douglass, Walko, Robert Francis Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/139,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20050232289A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/402
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A method for operatively interconnecting a first and second lighting control subnet is disclosed. In the method, a link claim is transmitted to the first and second lighting control subnets from a bridge. The link claim directs the first and second lighting control subnets to wait for a lighting control command, which is transmitted to the lighting control command to the first lighting control subnet. A random wait time is assigned to the first lighting control subnet and a maximum random wait time is assigned to the second lighting control subnets. Finally, an acknowledgement is received from the first lighting control subnet.

Claims

1. A bridge, comprising:

a display device for presenting information to a user;

a memory for storing information;

a transmitter for transmitting messages to a first and second subnet on a predetermined RF;

a receiver for receiving messages from the first and second subnet on the predetermined RF;

an Input/Output device for receiving or sending information; and

a processor, wherein said processor is operatively connected to said memory, transmitter, receiver, display device and Input/Output device, and wherein said processor transmits a link claim to the first and second subnets, a first command and random wait time to the first subnet, and a maximum random wait time to the second subnet by way of said transmitter, and receives an acknowledgement from the first subnet by way of said receiver.

2. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the processor transmits the link claim in response to receiving a signal from a master control in the first subnet by way of the receiver.

3. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the display device presents status information regarding the first and second subnet.

4. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the display device is a LCD screen.

5. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the display device is a LED display.

6. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the RF is one of:

390 MHz, 418 MHz or 434 MHz.

7. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the Input/Output is a RS-232 connection.

8. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the Input/Output is adapted to receive an alarm signal and the processor is adapted to send the link claim in response to the alarm signal.

9. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the processor further transmits, by way of the transmitter, a command to the lighting control device on the predetermined RF.

10. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the first subnet comprises a first master control and a first lighting control device, and the second subnet comprises a second master control and a second lighting control device.

11. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the processor further transmits a second link claim to the first and second subnets, a second command and second random wait time to the first subnet, and a second maximum random wait time to the second subnet by way of said transmitter, and receives a second acknowledgement from the first subnet by way of said receiver.

12. The bridge of claim 1, wherein the processor further transmits a second link claim to the first and second subnets, a third link claim to the first subnet, a second command and second random wait time to the second subnet, and a second maximum random wait time to the first subnet by way of said transmitter, and receives a second acknowledgement from the second subnet by way of said receiver.