Managing SSL Fixtures Over PLC Networks

• US 20090238252A1
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Shah, Ashok Deepak, Roberts, David Diehl III
• Granted Patent: US 8,148,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/222
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25387 Control sequences so as to optimize energy use by controlled machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/24 using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/60 Circuit arrangements for operating LEDs comprising organic material, e.g. for operating organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] or polymer light-emitting diodes [PLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Managing solid-state luminary (SSL) fixtures over power line carrier (PLC) networks is described herein. Devices provided in this description include SSL arrays, and converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL arrays. More specifically, the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL arrays. The devices also include (PLC) modems for coupling to PLC networks, and coupled to the converter circuitry. In particular, the PLC modems interface the converter circuitry to the PLC networks.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

at least one solid-state luminary (SSL) array;

converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL array, wherein the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL array; and

a power line carrier (PLC) modem for coupling to a PLC network and coupled to the converter circuitry, wherein the PLC modem is for interfacing the converter circuitry to the PLC network.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the PLC modem is operative to receive control signals from the PLC network, decode the control signals, and to configure the converter circuitry to drive the SSL array in response to the control signals.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the converter circuitry is operative to increase an illumination level of the SSL array in response to the control signals.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the converter circuitry is operative to reduce an illumination level of the SSL array in response to the control signals.

5. A device of claim 1, wherein the PLC modem is operative to receive feedback from the converter circuitry, to encode the feedback for transmission on the PLC network, and to inject the feedback onto the PLC network.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the converter circuitry is operative to provide feedback that represents:

an electrical load demanded by the SSL array, a temperature status associated with the SSL array, an operational status of the SSL array, or a response to a control signal received over the PLC network.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the PLC modem is operative to receive the feedback on an event-driven basis.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least a further SSL array coupled to be driven by the converter circuitry in parallel with the SSL array.

9. A process comprising:

receiving at least one command to control at least one solid-state luminary (SSL) lighting node over a power line carrier (PLC) network;

encoding signals to control the SSL lighting node for transmission over the PLC network; and

injecting the control signals onto the PLC network.

10. The process of claim 9, further comprising associating the at least one SSL lighting node with an address defined within the PLC network.

11. The process of claim 9, further comprising addressing the control signals to at least at the SSL lighting node via the PLC network.

12. The process of claim 9, further comprising controlling a plurality of SSL arrays by addressing the control signals to the SSL lighting node.

13. The process of claim 9, further comprising addressing the control signals to at least a further SSL lighting node.

14. The process of claim 9, further comprising receiving feedback associated with the SSL lighting node within the PLC network.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein receiving feedback includes receiving feedback in response to the control signals or independently from the control signals.

16. A process comprising:

installing at least one solid-state luminary (SSL) array;

installing converter circuitry that is configured to drive the SSL array;

installing a power line carrier (PLC) modem coupled at least to provide control signals to the converter circuitry; and

coupling the PLC modem to communicate via a PLC network overlaid onto a power distribution network.

17. The process of claim 16, wherein installing the SSL array, the converter circuitry, and the PLC modem includes installing SSL lighting fixture that includes the SSL array, the converter circuitry, and the PLC and into one integrated assembly.

18. The process of claim 16, further comprising removing at least one lighting fixture from an existing building installation, wherein the lighting fixture is powered by the power distribution network.

19. The process of claim 18, further comprising replacing a switch component that controls the lighting fixture with at least the PLC modem, and further comprising installing a cable that couples the PLC modem and the SSL array.

20. The process of claim 16, further comprising installing a least a further SSL array, and further comprising installing a low-voltage cable that couples the SSL array and a further SSL array to be controlled together