Illumination management system

• US 6,933,486 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2003
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Viala, Roar, Pitigoi-Aron, Radu, Forke, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Stephone B.
• Application Number:
  US10/431,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20030197113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 250/205, 250/206, 250/214.AL, 250/214.B, 250/208.4, 315/150, 315/156, 315/158, 327/514
• US Class Current: 250/205
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/042 by measuring the incident light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/3922 and measurement of the incident light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light

Abstract

The present invention provides an illumination management system that includes a first LED that outputs a first signal when exposed to a first spectrum of light, the first signal indicating an intensity of light from the first spectrum; a second LED that outputs a second signal when exposed to a second spectrum of light, the second signal indicating an intensity of light from the second spectrum and wherein the second spectrum includes at least some wavelengths that are not in said first spectrum. In some embodiments, more LEDs could be included in the system for associating the presence of light energy from different parts of the light spectrum. Also included is light control circuitry, coupled to the LEDs, configured to generate a lighting control signal that can be output to one or more lights to adjust the lights to a desired light level, wherein the lighting control signal varies in response to said first and second signals.

Claims

1. A distributed lighting control system comprising:

a. a lighting control circuit configured to adjust the light level in a plurality of locations based on measured light levels in the plurality of locations; and

b. a plurality of detection circuits configured to measure the light level in the plurality of locations and to communicate the measured light levels to the lighting control circuit, wherein at least one of the plurality of detection circuits is remote from the lighting control circuit.

2. The system in claim 1 wherein the lighting control circuit is configured to generate a lighting control signal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the lighting control circuit further comprising:

a. an identification circuit coupled to the detection circuits for associating the actual light levels;

b. a correction circuit coupled to the identification circuit for comparing the actual light levels to a desired or predetermined light level; and

c. a driver circuit coupled to the correction circuit and configured to generate a lighting control signal to control light levels of a plurality of lights, the lighting control signal being derived from a difference between the actual light levels and the desired or predetermined light level, the lighting control signal being varied in response to the difference.

4. The system in claim 1 wherein the lighting control circuit further comprising a plurality of system user interface units to monitor and adjust light levels of controlled areas.

5. The system in claim 1 wherein the lighting control circuit further comprising a means for interfacing with a user, wherein light levels in the plurality of locations are monitored and controlled by the user through the interface.

6. The system in claim 1 wherein the system is controlled by computer.

7. The system in claim 1 wherein the system is controlled manually.

8. The system in claim 1 wherein the lighting control circuit is configured to receive data from and communicate instructions to the plurality of detection circuits by a wireless means.

9. The system in claim 1 wherein the lighting control circuit is configured to receive data from and communicate instructions to the plurality of detection circuits by a network protocol.

10. The system in claim 1 wherein the lighting control circuit is configured to receive data from and communicate instructions to the plurality of detection circuits electromagnetically.

11. The system in claim 1 wherein the lighting control circuit is configured to receive data from and communicate instructions to the plurality of detection circuits optically.

12. The system in claim 1 wherein the plurality of detection circuits further comprise pick-ups.

13. The system in claim 1 wherein the plurality of detection circuits further comprise LEDs.

14. The system in claim 1 wherein the plurality of detection circuits further comprise infrared LEDs.

15. The system in claim 1 wherein the plurality of detection circuits further comprise photocells.

16. The system in claim 1 wherein the plurality of detection circuits further comprise a combination of pick-ups, LEDs, infrared LEDs, or photocells.

17. The system in claim 1 wherein all communications across the plurality of detection circuits and the lighting control circuit are digital and the system includes a conversion circuit for converting communications from digital to analog as necessary.

18. An illumination management system for receiving light level data and controlling light levels comprising:

a. a plurality of detection circuits located in a plurality of locations and configured to receive a spectrum of light and output a signal indicating a light level data from the spectrum of light;

b. a lighting control circuit configured to receive the light level data from the plurality of detection circuits and generate instructions to adjust the light level in the plurality of locations; and

c. lighting control circuitry configured to receive instructions from the lighting control circuit and generate a lighting control signal to adjust light levels to desired or predetermined levels based on instructions from the lighting control circuit.

19. The system in claim 18 wherein the light level data is received from a plurality of controlled areas containing lights, the plurality of controlled areas exposed to spectrums of light.

20. The system in claim 18 wherein the plurality of detection circuits are located within a plurality of controlled areas containing lights, the plurality of controlled areas exposed to spectrums of light.

21. The system in claim 18 wherein the lighting control signal is output to adjust light levels of a plurality of lights in a plurality of controlled areas to desired or predetermined levels.

22. An illumination management system for controlling light levels of controlled areas comprising:

a. a means for detecting light levels comprising a plurality of detectors, the plurality of detectors being configured to receive a spectrum of light and to detect light levels from a plurality of locations and output light level data;

b. a means for communicating configured to receive the light level data from the means for detecting the light levels and generate instructions to adjust light levels at a plurality of locations to a desired or predetermined level; and

c. a means for controlling light levels configured to receive instructions from the means for communicating and adjust light levels to a desired or predetermined level.

23. The system in claim 22 wherein the means for communicating is coupled to the means for detecting light levels.

24. The system in claim 22 wherein the means for controlling light levels is coupled to the means for communicating.

25. The system in claim 22 wherein the means for detecting light levels is located within a controlled area.

26. The system in claim 22 wherein the means for controlling light levels adjusts light levels in the plurality of locations to the desired or predetermined level.

27. The system in claim 22 wherein the means for controlling light levels further comprising a means for interfacing with a user, wherein the light levels of the plurality of locations are monitored and controlled by the user through the interface.

28. The system in claim 22 wherein the means for controlling light levels identifies light fixtures required for adjusting the light levels to the desired or predetermined level.

29. The system in claim 22 wherein the means for controlling light levels further comprising a computer.

30. The system in claim 22 wherein the means for controlling light levels employs a multiple-dimension interpolation algorithm to determine whether to increase or decrease the light provided by light fixtures, the system continuously adapting to achieve the desired light level in response to changes in the lumination conditions.

31. An illumination management system for controlling light levels of controlled areas comprising:

a. a plurality of detection circuits for detecting light levels and outputting light level data;

b. a lighting control circuit for controlling light levels configured to receive light level data from the plurality of detection circuits wherein lighting control circuit is remote from at least one of the detection circuits; and

c. a plurality of lights configured to adjust light levels to a desired or predetermined light level as instructed by the lighting control circuit.

32. The system in claim 31 wherein the lighting control circuit is in a location remote from the detection circuits.

33. A method of controlling light levels comprising:

a. detecting light levels with a plurality of detectors;

b. outputting light level data to a lighting control circuit which is in a location remote from one or more of the plurality of detectors; and

c. adjusting the light levels at a plurality of locations using the lighting control circuit.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of detectors each comprise a LED.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the plurality of detectors each comprise an infrared LED.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of detectors each comprise a photocell.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of detectors each comprise a combination of a LED, an infrared LED, or a photocell.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the lighting control circuit comprises a computer.