Lighting control system including server for receiving and processing lighting control requests
DCFirst Claim
1. A lighting control system for at least one lighting load, the system comprising:
- a computer network;
a server including memory encoded with executable instructions, the instructions, when executed, instructing the server to receive lighting control requests on the computer network and respond to the lighting control requests by generating lighting control commands, the lighting control requests indicating lighting load states; and
means for controlling power to at least one lighting load in response to the lighting control commands.
5 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A lighting control system includes a server that is instructed by a lighting daemon to receive lighting control requests on a computer network and respond to the lighting control requests. Each lighting control request identifies a lighting load (directly or indirectly) and a lighting load state (e.g., full intensity) for the identified lighting load. When the server receives a lighting control request over the network, it is instructed to generate proprietary commands for an interface module, which controls the identified lighting load according to the lighting load state. Thus, the server allows lighting loads to be controlled by any Network Appliances connected to a computer network. Network Appliances can include web browsers, Virtual Light Switches and smart sensors.
150 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A lighting control system for at least one lighting load, the system comprising:
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a computer network; a server including memory encoded with executable instructions, the instructions, when executed, instructing the server to receive lighting control requests on the computer network and respond to the lighting control requests by generating lighting control commands, the lighting control requests indicating lighting load states; and means for controlling power to at least one lighting load in response to the lighting control commands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A lighting control system for controlling multiple lighting loads, the system comprising:
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a computer network; a server including memory encoded with executable instructions, the instructions, when executed, instructing the server to receive lighting control requests on the computer network and respond to the lighting control requests by generating digital commands, each lighting control request identifying a lighting load and indicating a lighting load state, the digital commands directly identifying the lighting load and indicating the lighting load state; a power/communications bus; an interface module, responsive to proprietary digital commands, for generating analog relay requests and placing the analog relay requests on the power/communications bus; and a plurality of relays connected to the power communications bus, the relays controlling power and communications to the lighting loads in response to the analog relay commands. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A server connected between a computer network and an interface module for a lighting control system, the server comprising:
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a central processing unit; and computer memory encoded with a lighting control program, the lighting control program, when running on the server, instructing the central processing unit to listen for lighting control requests on the computer network, generate digital commands in response to the lighting control requests, and send the digital commands to the interface module; each lighting control request identifying a lighting load and indicating a lighting load state; each digital command directly identifying the lighting load and indicating the lighting load state. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An article of manufacture for a server connected between a computer network and an interface module of a lighting control system, the article comprising:
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computer memory; and a plurality of executable instructions encoded in the computer memory, the instructions, when executed, causing the server to listen for lighting control requests on the computer network;
generate proprietary digital commands in response to the lighting control requests; and
send the digital commands to the interface module;
each lighting control request identifying a lighting load and indicating a lighting load state, each digital command directly identifying the lighting load and indicating the lighting load state. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification