Lighting and Integrated Fixture Control

• US 20130257284A1
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LSI Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LSI Saco Technologies Inc. (LSI Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: VanWagoner, Mark, Frodsham, Tim, Boyer, John D., Fannon, Jesse Wade, Kelly, Kevin A.
• Application Number:
  US13/795,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20130257284A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/131
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/22 with communication between the lamps and a central unit

Abstract

Radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management systems, apparatus, and methods are described. One implementation includes a wireless communication component and a controller that is integrated into the radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit. The controller is configured to obtain operational values of a luminaire driver or a luminaire. The controller is further configured to provide the obtained operational values to the wireless communication component for transmission.

Claims

1. A radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit comprising:

a wireless communication component; and

a controller that is integrated into the radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit, wherein the controller is configured to obtain one or more operational values of a luminaire driver and an operational status of the luminaire, and wherein the controller is configured to provide the obtained operational values to the wireless communication component for transmission.

2. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, further comprising:

the luminaire driver, wherein the driver is configured to receive an alternating current;

rectify the received alternating current to produce to a direct current, and provide the rectified direct current to a luminaire that comprises one or more lighting elements.

3. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 2, wherein the controller has access to a set of values corresponding to operational parameter ranges for the driver, and wherein the controller is configured to compare the operational values to the set of values corresponding to the operational parameter ranges, and wherein the controller is configured to generate signals indicating an alarm if an operational value of light luminaire driver is not within the set of values corresponding to the operational parameter ranges.

4. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to adjust a power level of the driver in response to receiving signals indicating a request to adjust a light level of the luminaire.

5. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the controller has access to a set of values corresponding to operational parameter ranges for the luminaire, and wherein the controller is configured to compare the operational values to the set of values corresponding to the operational parameter ranges, and wherein the controller is configured to generate signals indicating an alarm if an operational values of luminaire is not within the set of values corresponding to the operational parameter ranges.

6. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine if luminaire is inoperative, and wherein the controller is configured to generate signals indicating an alarm if the luminaire is determined to be inoperative.

7. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to determine if at least one lighting element of the luminaire is inoperative.

8. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine if a motion sensor that is connected to the radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit is inoperative, and wherein the controller is configured to generate signals indicating an alarm if the motion sensor is determined to be inoperative.

9. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more operational values comprise a value for voltage drop across a lighting element.

10. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more operational values comprise a value for an amount of current supplied through a lighting element.

11. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more operational values comprise a value for an amount of power consumed by a lighting element.

12. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more light-emitting diodes.

13. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more incandescent lighting elements.

14. The radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more fluorescent lighting elements.

15. A method for providing an operational status of a light-emitting-diode-based luminaire, the method comprising:

receiving a request for an operational status of a luminaire driver or a luminaire;

using a controller integrated into the luminaire driver, obtaining one or more operational values of the luminaire driver or luminaire, in response to receipt of the request;

comparing the obtained one or more operational values to values corresponding to acceptable ranges for the one or more operational parameters;

transmitting the obtained one or more operational values to a wireless communication device if the obtained one or more operational values are within the acceptable ranges; and

transmitting an alarm to the wireless communication device if at least one of the obtained operational values is not within the acceptable ranges.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving signals indicating a request to adjust a lighting level of the luminaire; and

adjusting a power level of the luminaire driver based on the request.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

determining if at least one lighting element of the luminaire is inoperative; and

transmitting an alarm to the wireless communication device if at least one lighting element is inoperative.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein an obtained operational value comprises a value for a power condition of the luminaire.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein an obtained operational value comprises a temperature condition of the luminaire.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein an obtained operational value comprises a cumulative time of operation.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more light-emitting diodes.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more incandescent lighting elements.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more fluorescent lighting elements.

24. A non-transitory machine-readable medium for providing an operational status of a light-emitting-diode-based luminaire, the machine-readable medium comprising machine instructions for:

receiving a request for an operational status of a luminaire driver or a luminaire;

using a controller integrated into the luminaire driver, obtaining one or more operational values of the luminaire driver or luminaire, in response to receipt of the request;

comparing the obtained one or more operational values to values corresponding to acceptable ranges for the one or more operational parameters;

transmitting the obtained one or more operational values to a wireless communication device if the obtained one or more operational values are within the acceptable ranges; and

transmitting an alarm to the wireless communication device if at least one of the obtained operational values is not within the acceptable ranges.

25. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, further comprising machine instructions for:

receiving signals indicating a request to adjust a lighting level of the luminaire; and

adjusting a power level of the luminaire driver based on the request.

26. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, further comprising machine instructions for:

determining if at least one lighting element of the luminaire is inoperative; and

transmitting an alarm to the wireless communication device if at least one lighting element is inoperative.

27. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, wherein an obtained operational value comprises a value for a power condition of the luminaire.

28. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, wherein an obtained operational value comprises a temperature condition of the luminaire.

29. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, wherein an obtained operational value comprises a cumulative time of operation.

30. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more light-emitting diodes.

31. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more incandescent lighting elements.

32. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the one or more lighting elements comprise one or more fluorescent lighting elements.