AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR LIGHTING CONTROL

• US 20150108901A1
• Filed: 10/23/2014
• Published: 04/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Original Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Inventors: GREENE, Charles E., HARRIST, Daniel W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,455,663 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/149
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a signal indicating that a timeout timer associated with a space has crossed a threshold. If a motion sensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending a signal to a wireless controller operatively coupled to a light source such that the wireless controller reverts to a default state. If (1) a motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) a light sensor is disposed within the space, the method includes sending a signal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller is controlled by the light sensor.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a signal indicating that a timeout timer associated with a space has crossed a threshold;

if a motion sensor is disposed within the space, sending a signal to a wireless controller operatively coupled to a light source such that the wireless controller reverts to a default state;

if (1) a motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) a light sensor is disposed within the space, sending a signal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller is controlled by the light sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a signal from the light sensor indicating that a lux level of the space is below a predetermined level; and

sending a signal to the wireless controller to causes the light in the space to brighten.

3. The method of claim 1,

receiving a signal from the light sensor indicating that a lux level of the space is above a predetermined level;

and

sending a signal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller causes a light in the space to dim.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if a motion sensor is disposed within the space, resetting, in response to an indication from the motion sensor that the space is occupied, the timeout timer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the timeout timer is set for thirty minutes.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the (1) the motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) a light sensor is not disposed within the space, sending, in response to an indication that the space is not scheduled to be occupied, a signal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller reverts to the default state.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the default state is OFF.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a network gateway device configured to be wirelessly coupled to (1) a wireless switch, (2) a light sensor disposed in a space, and (3) a wireless controller coupled to a light that is configured provide a lux level to the space,

the network gateway device configured to receive, from the light sensor, an indication of an ambient light level of the space,

the network gateway device configured to receive, from the wireless switch, a signal indicative of a request for the light to be turned on,

the network gateway device configured to send, to the wireless controller, a command configured to cause the light to increase in brightness an amount based on the ambient light of the space.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the network gateway device is configured to receive a signal indicating that a timeout timer has crossed a threshold,

if a motion sensor is disposed within the space, the network gateway device configured to send a signal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller reverts to a default state.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the default state is ON.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the network gateway device is configured to receive a data packet including an identification of a motion sensor disposed within the space,

the network gateway device is configured to associate the motion sensor with the wireless controller.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the network gateway device is configured to receive, from the light sensor, an indication of the lux level of the space;

the network gateway device is configured to send signal to the wireless controller such that a brightness level of the light changes to maintain the lux level of the space within a predetermined range.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the predetermined range is between 350 and 450.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the network gateway device is wirelessly coupled to the wireless controller via two channels simultaneously.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless controller configured to be operatively coupled to a light that is configured to selectively provide a lux level to a space, the wireless controller configured to be wirelessly coupled to (1) a network gateway device that is wirelessly coupled to a light sensor and (2) a wireless switch,

the wireless controller configured to receive, from the network gateway device in response to the network gateway device receiving a request from the wireless switch, an instruction to increase a brightness of the light an amount based on a data from the light sensor indicative of the lux level of the space;

the wireless controller configured to send a signal to the light such that the brightness of the light is increased.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the wireless controller is configured to be line-powered and the wireless switch is configured to be battery-powered.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the wireless controller is configured to wirelessly couple the light sensor to the network gateway device by repeating all packets received from the light sensor to the network gateway device.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

the wireless controller is configured to receive an indication of a lost connection with the network gateway device;

the wireless controller is configured to, in response to the lost connection, default to an ON state.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

the wireless controller is configured to receive, from the network gateway device, a signal to revert to a default state in response to the network gateway device receiving (1) a signal indicating that a timeout timer crossed a threshold and (2) an indication from a motion sensor that the space in unoccupied.

20. A method, comprising:

receiving a signal indicating that a timeout timer associated with a space has crossed a threshold; and

if a motion sensor is disposed within the space, sending a signal to a wireless controller operatively coupled to a light source within the space such that the wireless controller reverts to a default state;

if (1) a motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) an indication is received that the space is not scheduled to be occupied, sending a signal to the wireless controller such that the wireless controller reverts to the default state.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising if (1) the motion sensor is not disposed within the space and (2) an indication is received that the space is scheduled to be occupied, allowing the wireless controller to continue in a present state.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising wirelessly receiving, from a battery-powered capacitive touch switch, a signal indicative of a request to increase a brightness of the light source.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising wirelessly receiving, from a battery-powered capacitive touch switch, a signal indicative of a request to reduce a brightness of the light source.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising wirelessly receiving, from a battery-powered capacitive touch switch, a signal indicative of a request to turn off the light source.