WIRELESS CONTROLLER FOR LIGHTING SYSTEM

• US 20120181935A1
• Filed: 09/03/2010
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ADJ Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: American DJ Supply Incorporated
• Inventors: Velazquez, Toby
• Granted Patent: US 8,766,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/132
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for controlling at least one lighting system by means of a portable wireless remote control device. The system comprises a portable wireless remote control device, a lighting system controller, and at least one lighting system coupled to the lighting system controller. Each lighting system comprises one or more lighting modules (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent bulbs, etc.). The portable wireless remote control device comprises a wireless transceiver, processor, memory, light control logic, user interface (UI), and an antenna. The lighting system controller comprises a wireless transceiver, processor, memory, light control logic, and an antenna. Each lighting system coupled (e.g., wired) to the lighting system controller may be wirelessly controlled via the remote control device.

Claims

1. A control system for controlling at least one lighting system, comprising:

a lighting controller detachably electrically coupled to each lighting system;

a remote control device configured for transmitting control signals to the lighting controller;

wherein the lighting controller is configured for receiving control signals from the remote control device and controlling operation of each coupled lighting system based on control signals from the remote control device.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the lighting controller comprises:

a communication module configured for wireless communication with the remote control device over a wireless communication medium;

a lighting control logic configured for controlling operation of each coupled lighting system; and

at least one output jack for controlling a lighting system coupled thereto.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein:

the lighting control logic is further configured for controlling operation of a coupled lighting system based on a received control function code from the remote control device, wherein the lighting control logic sends a corresponding lighting control signal to a coupled lighting system.

4. The control system of claim 3, wherein:

the lighting control logic is further configured to generate a lighting control signal comprising a set of signals that control operation of one or more lighting modules of the coupled lighting system, based on control signals received from the remote control device.

5. The control system of claim 2, wherein the lighting controller further comprises:

a coupling mechanism for removably coupling the lighting controller to a surface; and

at least one display device for visually indicating a status of each lighting system coupled to the lighting controller.

6. The control system of claim 2, wherein the lighting controller further comprises:

a synchronization button for synchronizing the remote control device with the lighting controller;

a synchronization LED for indicating whether the remote control device is synchronized with the lighting controller; and

at least one electrical power jack for providing electricity to a lighting system coupled thereto.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises:

a plurality of apertures for coupling the lighting controller to a surface by nuts and bolts.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises:

a clamp for coupling the lighting controller to a truss system.

9. The control system of claim 7, wherein the remote control device comprises:

a communication module configured for wireless communication with the lighting controller via a wireless communication medium;

a user interface configured for receiving user commands for commanding operation of each lighting system via the lighting controller; and

a control logic configured for selectively transmitting control signals to the lighting controller based on user commands received via the user interface.

10. The control system of claim 9, wherein the user interface comprises a keypad for receiving commands for operation of each lighting system.

11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the user interface comprises:

an indication LED;

an all-on button;

an all-off button;

a standby button;

a function button;

a mode button; and

a plurality of on/off buttons.

12. The control system of claim 11, wherein the indication LED of the remote control device is configured for indicating when signals are sent to or received from the lighting controller.

13. The control system of claim 11, wherein the all-on button of the remote control device is configured for turning on all lighting systems coupled to the lighting controller via a power jack by sending a control signal from the remote control device to the lighting controller.

14. The control system of claim 11, wherein the all-off button of the remote control device is configured for turning off all lighting systems coupled to the lighting controller via a power jack by sending a control signal from the remote control device to the lighting controller.

15. The control system of claim 11, wherein the standby button of the remote control device is configured for setting all lighting systems coupled to the lighting controller via an output jack to a standby mode by sending a control signal from the remote control device to the lighting controller.

16. The control system of claim 11, wherein the function button of the remote control device is configured for cycling through each function a lighting system possesses wherein the lighting system is coupled to the lighting controller via an output jack by sending a control signal from the remote control device to the lighting controller.

17. The control system of claim 11, wherein the mode button of the remote control device is configured for cycling through each mode a given lighting system possesses wherein the lighting system is coupled to the lighting controller via an output jack by sending a control signal from the remote control device to the lighting controller.

18. The control system of claim 11, wherein each on/off button of the remote control device is configured to turn on or turn off each lighting system coupled to the lighting controller via a power jack by sending a control signal from the remote control device to the lighting controller.

19. The control system of claim 5, wherein the remote control device is configured for sending signals to and receiving signals from more than one lighting controller.

20. The control system of claim 19, wherein the remote control device is configured for controlling each of the lighting devices coupled to the lighting controller individually.

21. The control system of claim 20, wherein the remote control device is configured for controlling all of the lighting devices coupled to the lighting controller (300) at once.

22. The control system of claim 11, wherein the remote control device is further configured for receiving signals from a lighting controller and displaying information based on the signals received from said lighting controller.

36. The control system of claim 1, wherein:

each lighting system is individually connected to the lighting controller.

37. The control system of claim 1, wherein:

the lighting controller is separately proximate to each lighting system.

23. A method for wirelessly controlling at least one lighting system, comprising:

providing a control system for controlling the at least one lighting system;

providing at least one lighting system;

electrically coupling each lighting system to the control system ; and

controlling each lighting system coupled to the control system.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the control system comprises:

a lighting controller detachably electrically coupled to each lighting system;

a remote control device configured for transmitting control signals to the lighting controller;

wherein the lighting controller is configured for receiving control signals from the remote control device and controlling operation of each coupled lighting system based on control signals from the remote control device.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

synchronizing the remote control device with the lighting controller prior to controlling each lighting system coupled to the control system.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the lighting controller comprises:

a communication module configured for wireless communication with the remote control device over a wireless communication medium;

a lighting control logic configured for controlling operation of each coupled lighting system;

at least one output jack for controlling a lighting system coupled thereto;

a coupling mechanism for removably coupling the lighting controller to a surface; and

at least one display device for visually indicating a status of each lighting system coupled to the lighting controller;

wherein the lighting control logic is further configured for controlling operation of a coupled lighting system based on a received control function code from the remote control device, wherein the lighting control logic sends a corresponding lighting control signal to a coupled lighting system; and

wherein the lighting control logic is further configured to generate a lighting control signal comprising a set of signals that control operation of one or more lighting modules of the coupled lighting system, based on control signals received from the remote control device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the remote control device comprises:

a communication module configured for wireless communication with the lighting controller via a wireless communication medium;

a user interface configured for receiving user commands for commanding operation of each lighting system via the lighting controller; and

a control logic configured for selectively transmitting control signals to the lighting controller based on user commands received via the user interface;

wherein the user interface comprises a keypad for receiving commands for operation of each lighting system; and

wherein an indication display of the remote control device is configured for indicating when signals are sent to or received from the lighting controller.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein controlling each lighting system comprises:

in response to a mode button of the remote control device being pressed, cycling through each mode a given lighting system possesses wherein the lighting system is coupled to the lighting controller via an output jack by sending a control signal from the remote control device to the lighting controller; and

in response to each on/off button of the remote control device being pressed, turning on or turning off each lighting system coupled to the lighting controller via a power jack by sending a control signal from the remote control device to the lighting controller.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the remote control device is further configured for receiving signals from a lighting controller and displaying information based on the signals received from said lighting controller.

30. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

at least one lighting system; and

a system comprising;

a lighting controller detachably electrically coupled to each lighting system; and

a remote control device configured for wirelessly communicating with the lighting controller via a wireless communication medium;

wherein the lighting controller is configured for receiving control signals from the remote control device and controlling operation of each coupled lighting system based on control signals from the remote control device.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the lighting controller comprises:

a communication module configured for wireless communication with the remote control device over a wireless communication medium;

a lighting control logic configured for controlling operation of each coupled lighting system; and

at least one output jack for controlling a lighting system coupled thereto.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein:

the lighting control logic is further configured for controlling operation of a coupled lighting system based on a received control function code from the remote control device, wherein the lighting control logic sends a corresponding lighting control signal to a coupled lighting system.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein:

the lighting control logic is further configured to generate a lighting control signal comprising a set of signals that control operation of one or more lighting modules of the coupled lighting system, based on control signals received from the remote control device.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the remote control device comprises:

a communication module configured for wireless communication with the lighting controller via a wireless communication medium;

a user interface configured for receiving user commands for commanding operation of each lighting system via the lighting controller; and

a control logic configured for selectively transmitting control signals to the lighting controller based on user commands received via the user interface.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the remote control device is further configured for receiving signals from a lighting controller and displaying information based on the signals received from said lighting controller.