LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20110316453A1
• Filed: 06/29/2011
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Synapse Wireless Incorporated (Mcwane Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Synapse Wireless Incorporated (Mcwane Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ewing, David B.
• Application Number:
  US13/171,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20110316453A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/362
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

The present disclosure generally pertains to lighting control systems and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, a building having at least one light source controlled by a manually-actuated switch is retrofitted with a networked control system. In this regard, the manually-actuated switch is decoupled from a power line that provides power to the light source, and the power line is coupled to a node of a wireless network to provide in-line control of the light source. Another node of the network is coupled to the manually-actuated switch so that the node can receive inputs from such switch. Such node uses the wireless network to transmit data indicative of the inputs from the manually-actuated switch. Logic then uses such data to control the activation state of the light source via the in-line relay coupled to the power line.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

a light source;

a power source coupled to the light source via a power line;

a manually-actuated switch having a faceplate covering a cavity in a wall of a building;

a first node of a wireless network coupled to the manually-actuated switch and positioned within the cavity, the first node configured to receive a user input from the manually-actuated switch and to wirelessly transmit data indicative of the user input via the wireless network;

a second node of the wireless network, the second node having an in-line relay coupled to the power line; and

logic configured to receive the data and to control the in-line relay based on the data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to control the in-line relay based on a time of day.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second node is configured to transmit the data to the first node.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the logic resides on the first node.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the manually-actuated switch is electrically isolated from the power line.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second node is positioned within a drop space of a drop-down ceiling.

7. A method for use in a lighting system, comprising:

manually actuating a switch having a faceplate covering a cavity in a wall of a building;

wirelessly transmitting data indicative of the actuating from a first node coupled to the switch within the cavity;

determining whether to activate a light source based on the data, the light source coupled to a power source via a power line; and

controlling an in-line relay coupled to the power line based on the determining.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the determining is based on a time of day.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting the data from the first node to the second node.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the second node is positioned within a drop space of a drop-down ceiling.

11. A lighting method for a room of a building, the room having a light source coupled to a power source via a power line, comprising:

inserting a first node of a wireless network into a cavity within a wall of the building;

coupling a relay of a second node of the wireless network to the power line;

coupling a manually-actuated switch to the first node;

receiving a user input via the switch;

transmitting data indicative of the user input from the first node to the second node; and

controlling the relay based on the transmitted data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the controlling is based on a time of day.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the switch covers the cavity.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the second node is positioned within a drop space of a drop-down ceiling.