Daylight control system device and method

• US 7,190,126 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2004
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Paton, John Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Thuy V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, TUNG X
• Application Number:
  US10/925,455
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/294, 315/295, 315/308, 362/276, 340/531, 340/506
• US Class Current: 315/308
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 31/50 specially adapted for ac
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A system and device for and a method of programming and controlling light fixtures is disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention includes a stationary controller unit that is electrically coupled to the light fixtures. The stationary controller unit is configured to be remotely programmed with a portable commissioning device to automatically control the lights fixtures. The stationary controller unit and the portable commissioning device include light sensors, micro-computers and transceivers for measuring light levels, running programs, storing data and transmitting data between the stationary controller unit and the portable commissioning device. In operation, target light levels selected with the portable commissioning device and the controller unit is remotely programmed to automatically maintain the target level.

Claims

1. A portable device for commissioning light fixtures to provide target light levels and operate independently of the portable device, the portable device comprising:

a) means for measuring light values in a work plane of the light fixtures; and

b) means for communicating, the means for communicating being configured for remotely programming the light fixtures to automatically maintain light outputs at target values based on the light values measured by the means for measuring light values in a work plane, correlated light values measured by controller units coupled to the light fixtures and a calibration factor, wherein the light fixtures automatically maintain the light outputs independently from the means for communicating, and wherein means for communicating initiates a calibration sequence by operating the light fixtures over a range of applied voltages and measures the corresponding light outputs from the light fixtures to determine the calibration factor.

2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the means for measuring the light values comprises a light sensor configured to measure illumination.

3. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the light sensor comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

4. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the means for communicating comprises a wireless transceiver.

5. The portable device of claim 4, wherein the wireless transceiver is an infrared transceiver configured to provide two-way communication between the portable device and a controller unit that is electrically coupled to the light fixtures and that includes a compatible infrared transceiver.

6. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a power source, the power source being selected from the group consisting of a battery and a solar cell.

7. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface to allow a user to select the target values and initiate programming.

8. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a micro-processor and a data storage unit for running software to program the light fixtures and for storing program data.

9. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising means to transmit data to a remote host computer.

10. A system for managing light fixtures, the system comprising:

a) a controller unit coupled to the light fixtures for regulating light outputs from the light fixtures in accordance with a program and room light levels measured by the controller unit, wherein the controller unit comprises a photo-sensor including a photodiode with photopically correcting filters for measuring the room light levels, and further wherein the controller unit is configured to regulate the light outputs based on the measured room light level; and

b) a commissioning device configured to remotely program the controller unit to regulate the light outputs according to the program that includes parameters that are determined at least in part based on light levels measured by the commissioning device which are correlated to the light levels measured by the controller unit, wherein controller unit operates according to the program and wherein the commissioning device initiates a calibration sequence by operating the light fixtures over a range of applied voltages and measures the corresponding light outputs from the light fixtures to determine the calibration factor that is used to program the controller.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller unit comprises a micro-computer for running the program and for storing operating data.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a wireless communication means, wherein the commissioning device is configured to remotely program the controller unit through the wireless communication means.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication means comprises transceivers coupled to the commissioning device and the controller unit.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the commissioning device is configured to initiate a calibration sequence, wherein voltage inputs to the light fixtures are compared with light outputs from the light fixtures to determine a correction factor for remotely programming the controller unit.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising an override device for overriding the controller unit and directly controlling light outputs from the light fixtures.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the override device is selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor and a manual switch.

17. A method of commissioning light fixtures, the method comprising:

a) selecting a target light level with a portable commissioning device;

b) adjusting a control signal applied to the light fixtures such that light outputs meet the target light level measured with the portable commissioning device; and

c) remotely programming a controller unit electrically coupled to the light fixtures with the commissioning device to automatically maintain light outputs to meet the target light level based on a light level measured with the controller unit and light levels measured with the commissioning device and, wherein the light fixtures automatically maintain the light outputs independently from the commissioning device, wherein remotely programming the controller unit comprises initiating a calibration sequence from the portable commissioning device and wherein the portable commissioning device instructs the controller unit to operate the light fixtures over a range of applied voltages and measures the corresponding light outputs to determine a calibration factor.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting the control signal applied to the light fixtures comprises initiating a commission sequence from the portable commissioning device, whereby the portable commissioning device instructs the controller unit to adjust voltages applied to the light fixtures.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein light outputs are measured with the portable commissioning device using a first light sensor.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the light level is measured with the controller unit using a second light sensor.