Distributed lighting control system
First Claim
1. A lighting system comprising a plurality of control modules distributed on an alternating current (AC) power line for remote control of electrical loads within a structure, at least one of said plurality of control modules comprises a processor, a data decoder coupled to said processor through a data bus and means for driving a dimmer, each control module coupled to at least one of said electrical loads, each control module capable of independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on said AC power line for control of one or a group of said electrical loads without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation.
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Abstract
A lighting system includes a plurality of control modules distributed on the AC power line for remote control of lights within a residential/office building structure. Each control module is hard-wired to an electrical load and is provided with a dimmer and up to four control switches and LEDs for status indication. Each control module has a data decoder, a switch and LED interface, a dimmer driver and processor with memory for independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on the AC power line without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation. Every control module is programmable through a programmable module and a PC. The system data downloaded to each control module includes a unique address, a system configuration file and a response file for evaluating system transmission commands. Each control switch may be programmed to control the hard-wired load or any other load in the system.
122 Citations
39 Claims
- 1. A lighting system comprising a plurality of control modules distributed on an alternating current (AC) power line for remote control of electrical loads within a structure, at least one of said plurality of control modules comprises a processor, a data decoder coupled to said processor through a data bus and means for driving a dimmer, each control module coupled to at least one of said electrical loads, each control module capable of independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on said AC power line for control of one or a group of said electrical loads without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation.
- 12. A lighting system comprising a plurality of control modules distributed on an alternating current (AC) power line within a structure, at least of said plurality of control modules comprises a processor, a data decoder coupled to said processor through a data bus and a switch and LED interface operatively coupled between said at least one control switch and said at least one LED, each control module having at least one control switch and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) operatively coupled to said at lest one control switch for status indication, each control module capable of independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on said AC power line without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation.
- 19. A lighting system comprising a plurality of control modules distributed on an alternating current (AC) power line for remote control of electrical loads within a structure, at least of said plurality of control modules comprises a processor, a data decoder coupled to said processor through a data bus, a switch and LED interface operatively coupled between said at least one control switch and said at leasat one LED and means for driving a dimmer, each control module coupled to at least one of said electrical loads and having at least one control switch and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) operatively coupled to said at lest one control switch for status indication, each control module capable of independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on said AC power line for control of one or a group of said electrical loads without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation.
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30. A control module for use in a lighting system distributed on an alternating current (AC) power line within a structure, said control module comprising:
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(a) a processor;
(b) a data decoder coupled to said processor through a data bus;
(c) a switch and light-emitting diode (LED) interface operatively coupled to said data decoder; and
(d) a dimmer driver, said control module electrically coupled to the structure wiring and capable of independently receiving and transmitting communication signals within said distributed lighting system. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A lighting system comprising a plurality of control modules distributed on an alternating current (AC) power line for remote control of electrical loads within a structure, each control module coupled to at least one of said electrical loads, each control module including means for independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on said AC power line for control of one or a group of said electrical loads without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation.
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38. A lighting system comprising a plurality of control modules distributed on an alternating current (AC) power line within a structure, each control module having at least one control switch and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) operatively coupled to said at least one control switch for status indication, each control module including means for independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on said AC power line without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation.
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39. A lighting system comprising a plurality of control modules distributed on an alternating current (AC) power line for remote control of electrical loads within a structure, each control module coupled to at least one of said electrical loads and having at least one control switch and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) operatively coupled to said at least one control switch for status indication, each control module including means for independently processing and communicating data signals to the other control modules on said AC power line for control of one or a group of said electrical loads without the need for a central processor to coordinate the lighting control operation.
Specification