Multiple channel ballast and networkable topology and system including power line carrier applications
First Claim
1. A multi-branch control system comprising:
- a. a plurality of independently controllable branches, each said branch including a branch remote control unit, said branches connected to a common power source; and
b. power line carrier (PLC) communication means connecting said branches to allow inter-branch operability.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Control systems and methods for independent control of power systems, particularly lighting network branches, and separate control of individual branch components. Multi-branch systems comprise independently controllable branches that inter-communicate via PLC communications. In each branch, components such as ballasts, local control units, sensors, actuators, and repeaters, may exchange commands and queries independently of a branch remote control unit (BRCU). Alternatively, a BRCU may manage or arbitrate communications, or interact with other BRCUs, other control units and external management systems. Ballasts include a multi-channel ballast that enables close-loop control of individual fixtures, or of individual dimmable or non-dimmable lamps within a fixture. The close-loop control is facilitated by sampling circuits/sensors co-located with each controlled fixture or lamp. All controllers are preferably implemented using an integrated digital controller. The PLC communication is preferably carried out by a direct spread spectrum method that eliminates side lobes from a cross-correlation function, using an anti-collision protocol.
25 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A multi-branch control system comprising:
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a. a plurality of independently controllable branches, each said branch including a branch remote control unit, said branches connected to a common power source; and
b. power line carrier (PLC) communication means connecting said branches to allow inter-branch operability. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21)
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14. A branch control system comprising
a. a branch remote control unit (BRCU) that includes a power line carrier (PLC) transceiver, said unit operative to provide and receive a plurality of analog and digital signals through said transceiver; - and
b. at least one branch component, operative to independently communicate with said BRCU through said PLC transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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22. A method for avoiding command collisions in a power line carrier communication network, comprising the steps of:
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a. submitting, by at least two input/output units connected to the power line, short burst requests for transmitting commands; and
b. if said requests conflict in a same time frame, resubmit any rejected request until granted permission to transmit its respective command. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. In a network control system, a method for identifying and assigning specific physical locations to network components comprising the steps of:
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a. automatically interrogating each network component; and
b. based on a response from each said interrogated component, allocating a physical location to said component. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification