Method and Apparatus for Controlling Light Levels to Save Energy
First Claim
1. A method of operating a lighting control system comprising:
- providing a lighting control component operably connected to mains power, the lighting control component having a microcontroller for controlling the application of power to loads and providing low voltage power comprising a voltage and a current to the lighting control system;
providing one or more loads operatively connected to the lighting control component;
providing a sensor operatively connected to the lighting control component, the sensor producing a first signal when it senses a first condition and a second signal when it senses a second condition;
wherein the microcontroller reduces power to the lighting control system when the first signal is received and restores full power to the lighting control system when the second signal is received.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.
3 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of operating a lighting control system comprising:
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providing a lighting control component operably connected to mains power, the lighting control component having a microcontroller for controlling the application of power to loads and providing low voltage power comprising a voltage and a current to the lighting control system; providing one or more loads operatively connected to the lighting control component; providing a sensor operatively connected to the lighting control component, the sensor producing a first signal when it senses a first condition and a second signal when it senses a second condition; wherein the microcontroller reduces power to the lighting control system when the first signal is received and restores full power to the lighting control system when the second signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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4. (canceled)
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10. A lighting control system comprising:
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a lighting control component with a microcontroller for providing low voltage power to the lighting control system and for controlling the application of mains power to loads; one or more loads operatively connected to the lighting control component; a low voltage power and communication network interconnecting the lighting control component and one or more lighting control sensors or load control sensors; a sensor operatively connected to the lighting control component, the sensor producing a first signal when it senses a first condition and a second signal when it senses a second condition; wherein the microcontroller reduces power to the lighting control system when the first signal is received and restores full power when the second signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A lighting control system comprising:
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a lighting control component operably connected to mains power, the lighting control component having a microcontroller for providing low voltage power to the lighting control system and for controlling the application of power to loads; one or more loads operatively connected to the lighting control component; an occupancy sensor operatively connected to mains power; an electronic switch operatively connected to a passive ambient light sensor to interrupt power to the lighting control component.
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Specification