AUTOMATED LIGHTING AND BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20090149973A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TLC Integration, LLC
• Original Assignee: TLC Integration, LLC
• Inventors: Freeman, James, Keller, Carl
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 Domotique, access through internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An automated lighting and building control system that is operative to control a large number of lights and to provide control to other control systems, such as security systems, powered window coverings, and HVAC systems, within a geographic area based on a large amount of input data, including day light conditions, occupancy data, security information, HVAC data, etc. The savings generated by the control system are measurable and verifiable and enable the operator of the controlled space to analyze exactly how the controlled space is being utilized. To improve the quality of the overall control system, the present invention utilizes a universal occupancy adapter for converting any motion detector for a security system, into a component of the lighting/building controller. Further, the entire system can be controlled remotely over the Internet without the need for special software.

Claims

1. An automated control system, comprising:

a plurality of lighting zone controllers, each lighting zone controller including a central processor, a memory and an I/O port, and operative to control a plurality of lights within a zone based on a motion signal from a motion detector received by the I/O port, each lighting zone controller being operative to independently control the plurality of lights without external program control;

a master controller for providing external program control of at least the plurality of lighting zone controllers; and

a communications controller for managing data flow between the master controller and the plurality of lighting zone controllers.

2. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are further operative to control the plurality of lights within the zone based on a light level signal from a light level sensor.

3. The automated control system as recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are further operative to control the plurality of lights within the zone based on an input signal from a security sensor.

4. The automated control system as recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are further operative to control the plurality of lights within the zone based on an input signal from a life safety sensor.

5. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are further operative to control the plurality of lights within the zone based on an output light level signal.

6. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are further operative to control the plurality of lights within the zone based on an on/off signal.

7. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are operative to control the amount of light within the zone based on a shade control signal output to one or more automated window shades within the zone.

8. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are operative to control the amount of light within the zone based on a light level control signal output to the plurality of lights within the zone.

9. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are operative to control the amount of light within the zone based on a shade control signal output to one or more automated window shades with the zone.

10. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an HVAC system in communication with the master controller, and wherein the plurality of lighting zone controllers are operative to control a ventilation temperature within the zone based on a ventilation control signal output to one or more automated vents within the zone.

11. The automated control system as recited in claim 10, wherein the HVAC system is in communication with the master controller through the communications controller and the communications controller is operative to manage data flow between the master controller and the HVAC system.

12. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the master controller is connected to an Internet and operative to be controlled via an Internet browser for remote management and monitoring.

13. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the master controller is operative to provide measurable and verifiable energy cost savings generated by each lighting zone controller during use.

14. The automated control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the motion detector includes a PIR sensor, a microwave sensor and an ultrasonic sensor.

15. An automated control system for regulating lighting levels within a controlled space, comprising:

a plurality of lighting zone controllers, each lighting zone controller including a central processor, a memory and an I/O port, and operative to independently control the plurality of lights without external program control, each lighting zone controller further being operative to control a plurality of lights within a corresponding zone within the controlled space based on a motion signal from a motion detector received by the I/O port and based on a light level signal from a light level sensor received by the I/O port;

a master controller for providing program control of at least the plurality of lighting zone controllers; and

a communications controller for managing data flow between the master controller and the plurality of lighting zone controllers.

16. The automated control system as recited in claim 15, wherein each of the lighting zone controllers are further operative to control the plurality of lights within the corresponding zone based on a shade control signal output to one or more automated window shades within the corresponding zone, whereby lighting levels are regulated within the controlled space by using controlled amounts of daylight in combination with or in place of light generated by the plurality of lights.

17. The automated control system as recited in claim 16, wherein the master controller is connected to an Internet and operative to be controlled via an Internet browser for remote management and monitoring.

18. The automated control system as recited in claim 16, wherein the master controller is operative to provide measurable and verifiable energy cost savings generated by each lighting zone controller during use.

19. The automated control system as recited in claim 16, wherein the motion detector includes a PIR sensor, a microwave sensor and an ultrasonic sensor.

20. A method for regulating lighting levels within one or more zones having one or more lights and one or more windows, comprising the steps of:

measuring light levels within a zone and generating a corresponding light level signal for input to a lighting zone controller within the zone, the lighting zone controller including an input/output port for receiving input signals and transmitting output signals, a central processor for processing input signals and generating output signals, and a memory for storing zone data and program controls;

opening or closing one or more automated window shades over the one or more windows based on a shade control signal output by the light zone controller, the shade control signal being determined by the central processor based on the corresponding light level signal; and

increasing or decreasing the one or more lights within the zone based on the shade control signal.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the lighting zone controller is operative to receive a motion signal from a motion detector within the zone, and further comprising the step of turning on or off the one or more lights in the zone based on the motion signal.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, further comprising the steps of:

measuring a first amount of energy utilized by the one or more lights and one or more automated window shades within the zone;

determining a difference between the first amount of energy and a second amount of energy representing energy utilized by the one or more lights without lighting zone control;

computing a savings amount based on multiplying the difference by a power company energy rate.

23. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the motion detector includes a PIR sensor, a microwave sensor and an ultrasonic sensor.

24. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of program controlling the lighting zone controller over an Internet.