METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A LIGHTING SYSTEM

• US 20090014625A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Verfuerth, Neal R., Wang, Jun, Bartol, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,638,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/205
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• 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

A system is provided for automatically controlling a light level of an interior space. The system may include a light sensor, a transmitter, and a lighting system. The light sensor measures a light level of an interior space and sends the measured light level to the transmitter. The transmitter is in electrical communication with the light sensor. The transmitter is configured to receive the measured light level from the light sensor; to compare the received light level with a light level setting; to determine a value for a lighting indicator based on the comparison; to define a control signal including the determined value; and to send the defined control signal to a first receiver. The lighting system may include a light fixture and a second receiver mounted on the light fixture. The second receiver is configured to receive the control signal, to extract the determined value from the received control signal, and to adjust a light level of the light fixture based on the extracted value.

Claims

1. A system for automatically controlling a light level of an interior space, the system comprising:

a light sensor configured to measure a light level of an interior space and to send the measured light level to a transmitter;

a transmitter in electrical communication with the light sensor, the transmitter configured

to receive the measured light level from the light sensor;

to compare the received light level with a light level setting, the light level setting indicating a desired light level for the interior space;

to determine a value for a lighting indicator based on the comparison;

to define a control signal including the determined value; and

to send the defined control signal to a first receiver; and

a lighting system, the lighting system comprising

a light fixture; and

a second receiver mounted on the light fixture, the second receiver configured to receive the control signal;

to extract the determined value from the received control signal; and

to adjust a light level of the light fixture based on the extracted value.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light pipe mounted to provide light to the interior space.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the light pipe comprises:

a reflective tube;

a diffuser including a concave surface, the diffuser mounted to a first end of the reflective tube, the concave surface facing the interior space; and

a light collection system mounted to a second end of the reflective tube, the second end opposite the first end, the light collection system configured to direct natural light into the reflective tube.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the light sensor measures light from the light pipe and from the light fixture.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the diffuser further comprises a tapered portion extending from the concave surface, the tapered portion transitioning the concave surface to form an approximately parallel surface to the reflective tube.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein caulk is positioned between the tapered portion of the diffuser and the reflective tube.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the light collection system comprises:

a flashing mounted to an exterior surface defining the interior space;

a mounting flange mounted to the flashing;

a light collector configured to direct the natural light into the reflective tube, the light collector positioned on the mounting flange, the light collector comprising

a shell; and

a flange extending from an edge of the shell; and

a clamp ring positioned over the flange and mounted to the mounting flange to hold the light collector in position;

wherein the flashing is further mounted to the reflective tube using a fastener positioned between the shell and the reflective tube.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the shell has an oblate shape.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein a gasket is positioned between the shell and the flashing.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein a gasket is positioned between the flashing and the reflective tube.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein an insulation sleeve is positioned between the flashing and the reflective tube.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein a counter flashing is positioned between the mounting flange and the exterior surface.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the diffuser is a clear, prismatic diffuser, and further wherein a white reflective material is positioned between the diffuser and the reflective tube.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein defining the control signal comprises encoding the determined value.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein defining the control signal further comprises modulating the encoded determined value.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver is the second receiver.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver is positioned within an effective range of the transmitter.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the first receiver is a repeater.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the second receiver is positioned outside an effective range of the transmitter.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the transmitter is further configured to identify a repeater address, the repeater address associated with the repeater;

wherein defining the control signal includes the identified repeater address.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the repeater is configured:

to receive the control signal;

to extract the repeater address from the received control signal;

to compare the extracted repeater address with an address of the repeater; and

if the extracted repeater address matches the address of the repeater, to send the control signal to a third receiver.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the third receiver is the second receiver.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the third receiver is a second repeater.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is further configured to identify a receiver address, the receiver address associated with the light fixture;

wherein defining the control signal includes the identified receiver address.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the receiver is further configured:

to extract the receiver address from the received control signal;

to compare the extracted receiver address with an address of the receiver; and

if the extracted receiver address matches the address of the receiver, to adjust the light level of the light fixture.

28. The system of claim 7, further comprising a roofing material pre-installed on at least a portion of the flashing.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the at least one portion of the flashing includes a wall and a transition wall of the flashing.

26. A computer-readable medium including computer-readable instructions that, upon execution by a processor, cause the processor to control a light level of an interior space, the instructions configured to cause a computing device to:

receive light level data measured by a light sensor;

compare the received light level data with a light level setting, the light level setting indicating a desired light level for an interior space;

determine a value for a lighting indicator based on the comparison;

identify a receiver address, the receiver address associated with a light fixture;

define a control signal including the determined value and the identified receiver address; and

send the defined control signal to a receiver wherein a light level of the light fixture is adjusted based on the determined value.

27. A method of controlling a light level of an interior space, the method comprising:

receiving light level data measured by a light sensor;

comparing the received light level data with a light level setting, the light level setting indicating a desired light level for an interior space;

determining a value for a lighting indicator based on the comparison;

identifying a receiver address, the receiver address associated with a light fixture;

defining a control signal including the determined value and the identified receiver address; and

sending the defined control signal to a receiver wherein a light level of the light fixture is adjusted based on the determined value.