Distributed dimmable lighting control system and method
First Claim
1. A method of maintaining an ambient light intensity in a building area at a predetermined level, comprising:
- providing a predetermined level of light intensity for said building area;
providing at least one lamp in said building area, wherein at least one of said at least one lamp is a dimmable lamp;
providing at least one additional lamp in said building area, wherein each said additional lamp is one of a dimmable lamp and a lamp not capable of being dimmed;
obtaining an ambient light intensity level for said building area, said ambient light intensity level being a combination of a natural light level and an artificial light level;
comparing said ambient level to said predetermined level of light intensity;
if said ambient level differs from said predetermined level, calculating an artificial lighting input to be generated by said at least one lamp and said at least one additional lamp in said building area to attain said predetermined level;
wherein said input includes an intensity of a dimmable lamp to be turned on and at least one of a number of lamps to be turned on, a number of lamps to be turned off, a location of a lamp to be turned on and a location of a lamp to be turned off.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To reduce energy costs in buildings where there is an input of natural light, a method of maintaining an ambient light intensity in a building area at a predetermined level is proposed. It comprises obtaining an ambient light intensity level for the building area; comparing the ambient level to the predetermined level of light intensity; if the ambient level differs from the predetermined level, calculating an artificial lighting input to be generated in the building area to attain the predetermined level. It can further comprise generating the artificial lighting input in the building area and carrying out the steps of obtaining, comparing and calculating a second time to determine a quality of the calculating and modify the generating.
157 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of maintaining an ambient light intensity in a building area at a predetermined level, comprising:
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providing a predetermined level of light intensity for said building area; providing at least one lamp in said building area, wherein at least one of said at least one lamp is a dimmable lamp; providing at least one additional lamp in said building area, wherein each said additional lamp is one of a dimmable lamp and a lamp not capable of being dimmed; obtaining an ambient light intensity level for said building area, said ambient light intensity level being a combination of a natural light level and an artificial light level; comparing said ambient level to said predetermined level of light intensity; if said ambient level differs from said predetermined level, calculating an artificial lighting input to be generated by said at least one lamp and said at least one additional lamp in said building area to attain said predetermined level;
wherein said input includes an intensity of a dimmable lamp to be turned on and at least one of a number of lamps to be turned on, a number of lamps to be turned off, a location of a lamp to be turned on and a location of a lamp to be turned off. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for maintaining an ambient light intensity in a building area at a predetermined level, comprising:
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an input for providing a predetermined level of light intensity for said building area; at least one light level sensor to obtain an ambient light intensity level for said building area, said ambient light intensity level being a combination of a natural light level and an artificial light level; a light intensity verifier for comparing said ambient level to said predetermined level of light intensity; a light intensity controller for calculating an artificial lighting input to be generated in said building area to attain said predetermined level, if said ambient level differs from said predetermined level, wherein said input includes an intensity of a dimmable lamp to be turned on and at least one of a number of lamps to be turned on, a number of lamps to be turned off, a location of a lamp to be turned on and a location of a lamp to be turned off; at least one artificial lamp in said building area to generate said artificial lighting input in said building area, wherein at least one of said at least one lamp is a dimmable lamp; at least one additional artificial lamp in said building area to generate said artificial lighting input in said building area, wherein each said at least one lamp is one of a dimmable lamp and a lamp not capable of being dimmed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification