Lighting systems and methods
First Claim
1. A lighting system, comprising:
- a base unit; and
a plurality of switching units including a first switching unit and a second switching unit, the plurality of switching units respectively coupled to a plurality of light sources including a first light source and a second light source, each of the switching units configured to control at least a respective one of the light sources based on commands received from the base unit, the first switching unit having a plurality of user input devices including a first user input device and a second user input device, the first switching unit configured to control an operational state of the first light source based on inputs received via the first user input device independent of communication with the base unit, the first switching unit further configured to transmit, to the base unit, input messages indicative of inputs received via the second user input device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In general, the present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for controlling the states of lights and/or other electrical components. In one exemplary embodiment, a system employs a centralized base unit that wirelessly communicates with remote switching units, which control various loads, such as lights and/or other electrical components, based on commands from the base unit. One of the switching units has a first user input device and a second user input device. In response to inputs received via the first user input device, the switching unit controls a local load independent of communication with the base unit. However, the switching unit communicates with the base unit to inform it of the current operational state of the local load. The switching unit transmits, to the base unit, messages indicative of inputs received via the second user input device, and these messages may indicate a duration that the second user input device remains continuously activated. The base unit controls at least one remote load based on such messages.
12 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A lighting system, comprising:
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a base unit; and a plurality of switching units including a first switching unit and a second switching unit, the plurality of switching units respectively coupled to a plurality of light sources including a first light source and a second light source, each of the switching units configured to control at least a respective one of the light sources based on commands received from the base unit, the first switching unit having a plurality of user input devices including a first user input device and a second user input device, the first switching unit configured to control an operational state of the first light source based on inputs received via the first user input device independent of communication with the base unit, the first switching unit further configured to transmit, to the base unit, input messages indicative of inputs received via the second user input device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A lighting system, comprising:
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a remote unit; and a switching unit coupled to a light source and having at least one user input device and a wireless transceiver, the switching unit configured to receive, via the wireless transceiver, a command from the remote unit and to control the light source based on the command, the switching unit further configured to control the light source in response to a user input received via the at least one user input device independent of communication with any remote unit of the lighting system via the wireless transceiver, the switching unit further configured to transmit, via the wireless transceiver, input messages indicative of inputs received via the at least one user input device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for use in a lighting system, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command from a base unit via a wireless transceiver; controlling a light source based on the command; receiving a user input via at least one user input device; controlling the light source based on the user input independent of communication via the wireless transceiver; and transmitting, via the wireless transceiver to the base unit, messages indicative of inputs received via the at least one user input device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification