Microprocessor controlled time domain switching of color-changing lights

• US 7,514,884 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Pool Products, Inc. (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Murphy, Kevin, Potucek, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; David Hung
• Application Number:
  US10/974,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20050088119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,623 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/312, 315/313, 315/314, 315/322, 315/323, 315/362, 362/101, 362/800, 362/227
• US Class Current: 315/322
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]

Abstract

A lighting system controller comprising a switch connected to a lighting fixture configured to be controlled by time domain switching, and a processor capable of actuating said switch so as to achieve time domain switching of the lighting fixture.

Claims

1. A method of creating dynamic color displays in a pool, comprising the steps of:

providing a first lighting fixture positioned at a first location in the pool, the first lighting fixture configured to be controlled by time domain switching;

providing a second light fixture positioned at a second location in the pool, the second location being a distance from the first location, the second lighting fixture configured to be controlled by time domain switching;

signaling one of the first lighting fixture and the second lighting fixture to begin color changing; and

signaling the other of the first lighting fixture and the second lighting fixture to begin color changing after a time delay has elapsed from the signaling of the one.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said time delay is adjustable.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of adjusting said time delay.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said signaling steps are performed by a lighting system controller that includes a processor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said lighting system controller is configurable for single-pushbutton control of said dynamic color displays.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of controlling the dynamic color display through actuation of a single pushbutton.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

initiating the dynamic color display through actuation of a single pushbutton; and

stopping the dynamic color display through actuation of said single pushbutton or another pushbutton.

8. A lighting system controller that creates dynamic color displays in a pool, the controller comprising:

a first switch connected to a first lighting fixture positioned at a first location in the pool, the first lighting fixture configured to be controlled by time domain switching;

a second switch connected to a second lighting fixture positioned at a second location in the pool, the second location being a distance from the first location, the second lighting fixture configured to be controlled by time domain switching; and

a processor independently controlling said first switch and said second switch for providing time domain switching to both said first lighting fixture and said second lighting fixture,

wherein said controller is configurable for first signaling said first lighting fixture to begin color changing and then for second signaling said second lighting fixture to begin color changing after a time delay has elapsed after said first signaling.

9. The controller of claim 8, wherein said time delay is adjustable by a user.

10. The controller of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of output switches for switching power to a plurality of controlled devices that are not lighting fixtures, and wherein said processor is capable of actuating said plurality of output switches.