Multiparameter device control apparatus and method

• US 6,331,813 B1
• Filed: 05/25/1999
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard S. Belliveau
• Original Assignee: Richard S. Belliveau
• Inventors: Belliveau, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/318,139
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.02, 340/332, 362/233, 362/85, 362/284, 362/272, 315/312
• US Class Current: 340/12.32
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission

Abstract

The present invention in one embodiment incorporates multi-parameter lighting devices within a power line carrier system or apparatus. The apparatus comprises a power line, a control device, and a first lighting device. The power line may supply a primary signal having a frequency. The control device may include at least one actuation device which may be a plurality of actuation devices. The control device may be connected to a first power outlet of the power line. The first lighting device may have a plurality of parameters. The first lighting device can include a processor and first motor. The first motor of the lighting device can be used to vary a first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device. The first lighting device can be connected to a second power outlet of the power line. The control device can send out a first secondary signal on the power line in response to actuation of at least one actuation device and the first secondary signal can have a frequency which is different from the frequency of the primary signal. The processor of the first lighting device can respond to the first secondary signal by causing the position of the first motor to change and thereby changing the first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device. The first secondary signal can be a digitally modulated carrier signal and the frequency of the first secondary signal can be the carrier frequency of the first secondary signal. The first motor of the first lighting device can be in a prior position before the processor of the first lighting device receives the first secondary signal from the power line and the processor can change the position of the first motor incrementally or to an absolute position. Pre-set commands can be used to vary parameters of the lighting device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first lighting device having a plurality of parameters, wherein the first lighting device includes;

a processor, and

a first motor which is used to vary a first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device;

wherein the first lighting device receives a primary signal having a frequency from a power line and the primary signal powers the first lighting device;

wherein the first lighting device receives a first secondary signal from power line in response to actuation of at least one actuation device on a control device and the first secondary signal has a frequency which is different from the frequency of the primary signal;

wherein the processor of the first lighting device responds to the first secondary signal by causing the position of the first motor to change and thereby changing the first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device;

wherein the first secondary signal includes an address signal;

the processor of the first lighting device responds to the first secondary signal if the address signal of the first secondary signal corresponds to a first address;

the processor determines a second address from the first address;

the processor responds to the first secondary signal if the address signal of the first secondary signal corresponds to the second address;

and wherein the processor responds by changing a parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device.

2. A method comprising:

receiving a primary signal having a frequency from a power line and using the primary signal to power a first lighting device;

receiving a first secondary signal from the power line in response to actuation of at least one actuation device on a control device wherein the first secondary signal has a frequency which is different from the frequency of the primary signal; and

responding to the first secondary signal by causing the position of a first motor to change on the first lighting device and thereby changing a first parameter of a plurality of parameters of the first lighting device;

wherein the first secondary signal includes an address signal;

responding to the first secondary signal if the address signal of the first secondary signal corresponds to a first address;

determining a second address from the first address;

responding to the first secondary signal if the address signal of the first secondary signal corresponds to the second address;

wherein the step of responding to the first secondary signal includes changing a parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device.

3. An apparatus comprising

a power line having a first power outlet, a second power outlet, and a third power outlet;

a control device including at least one actuation device, the control device connected to the first power outlet;

a first lighting device having a plurality of parameters, the first lighting device connected to the second power outlet, wherein the first lighting device is comprised of

a processor;

a lamp;

a first stepping motor;

a track connector;

a color filter comprised of a plurality of color filter components each component

lying in a plane; and

a housing in which is located the first stepping motor and the color filter of the first lighting device;

wherein the track connector electrically connects the first lighting device to the second power outlet;

wherein the first stepping motor is used to vary a first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device;

wherein the first stepping motor has an rotatable shaft which is fixed to a bracket and when the rotatable shaft rotates the bracket rotates in a direction which is at an angle of substantially ninety degrees with respect to each of the planes of the plurality of color filter components;

a second lighting device having a plurality of parameters, the second lighting device connected to the third power outlet, wherein the second lighting device is comprised of

a processor;

a lamp;

a second stepping motor;

a track connector;

a color filter comprised of a plurality of color filter components each component

lying in a plane; and

a housing in which is located the second stepping motor and the color filter of the second lighting device;

wherein the track connector of the second lighting device electrically connects the second lighting device to the third power outlet; and

wherein the second stepping motor is used to vary a first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the second lighting device;

wherein the control device sends out a first secondary signal on the power line in response to actuation of at least one actuation device and the first secondary signal has a frequency which is different from the frequency of a primary signal, said primary signal being used to provide power to the first and second lighting devices; and

wherein the processor of the first lighting device responds to the first secondary signal by causing the position of the first stepping motor to change and thereby changing the first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device;

wherein

the first lighting device receives a primary signal having a frequency from a power line and the primary signal powers the first lighting device;

wherein the first lighting device receives the first secondary signal from the power line in response to actuation of at least one actuation device on the control device and the first secondary signal has a frequency which is different from the frequency of the primary signal;

wherein the processor of the first lighting device responds to the first secondary signal by causing the position of the first stepping motor to change and thereby changing the first parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device;

wherein the first secondary signal includes an address signal and the processor of the first lighting device responds to the first secondary signal if the address signal of the first secondary signal corresponds to a first address;

wherein the processor determines a second address from the first address;

and the processor responds to the first secondary signal if the address signal of the first secondary signal corresponds to the second address;

and wherein the processor responds by changing a parameter of the plurality of parameters of the first lighting device.