Intelligence in Distributed Lighting Control Devices

• US 20130103201A1
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Huizenga, Charles, Do, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 10,139,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/275
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/22 with communication between the lamps and a central unit

Abstract

Exemplary systems, methods, and apparatuses for distributed intelligence in facility lighting control are provided. A facility lighting system may be organized into multiple control areas, each of which may include one or more component devices. Each lighting control area may be associated with a control apparatus, which controls the operation of the lighting devices of the associated control area based on various types of signal information. Signal information may include information concerning local conditions or environments, as well as information from a centralized control server. Some embodiments further include monitoring the operation and predicting fault states of the lighting control area.

Claims

1. A method for distributed intelligence in facility lighting control, the method comprising:

receiving signal information concerning a lighting control area in a facilities system comprising a plurality of control areas, the control area comprising one or more lighting devices;

determining instructions for operation of the one or more lighting devices within the control area based on the received signal information; and

controlling operation of the one or more lighting devices within the control area based on at least the determined instructions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal information comprises information concerning an environmental condition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal information comprises information concerning an operation schedule.

4. The method of claim 1, where the signal information comprises information concerning the presence of occupants in the lighting control area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal information comprises information designated by a user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal information comprises information from a control server.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the instructions comprises determining the instructions based on rule-based actuation logic.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring operation of the lighting control area.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring operation of the control area further comprises detecting a fault state in the lighting control area.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring operation of the lighting control area further comprises storing operation information associated with the lighting control area.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring operation of the lighting control area further comprises predicting failure of the lighting control area based on at least operation information.

12. An apparatus for distributed intelligence in facility lighting control, the apparatus comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive signal information concerning a lighting control area in a facilities system comprising a plurality of control areas;

a processor configured to determine instructions for operation of the lighting control area based on rule-based actuation logic and the received signal information; and

a controller configured to control operation of the lighting control area based on at least the determined instructions.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a timekeeper configured to provide signal information concerning date and time.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a light sensor configured to provide signal information concerning a level of light.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a motion sensor configured to provide signal information concerning presence of an occupant.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication interface is further configured to receive signal information from a control server.

17. A system for distributed intelligence in facility lighting control, the system comprising:

a plurality of lighting control areas, each lighting control area comprising

a communication interface for receiving signal information concerning the lighting control area,

a processor configured to determine instructions for operation of the control area based on at least rule-based actuation logic and the received signal information, and

a controller for controlling operation of the lighting control area based on instructions determined by reference to rule-based actuation logic and the received signal information; and

a control server configured to provide signal information concerning an operation configuration to each lighting control area in the plurality of lighting control areas.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the control server is further configured to receive user input concerning the operation configuration.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the control server is further configured to receive operation information from each control area from the plurality of control areas.

20. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereupon executable computing instructions for performing a method comprising:

receiving signal information concerning a lighting control area in a facilities system comprising a plurality of control areas, the control area comprising one or more lighting devices;

determining instructions for operation of the one or more lighting devices within the control area based on the received signal information; and

controlling operation of the one or more lighting devices within the control area based on at least the determined instructions.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the executable instructions further provide for monitoring operation of the lighting control area.

22. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein monitoring operation of the control area further comprises predicting failure of the lighting control area based on at least operation information.