Dynamic setup wizard in lighting control system commissioning

• US 7,558,651 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Knarich, Scott, DeBoer, John, Marellapudi, Seshagiri R, Balasubramaniam, Ravikumar
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta; Kidest
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUGHLIN, NATHAN L
• Application Number:
  US11/635,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20080077280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/295, 700/297, 700/292, 700/22
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25016 Eiba bus, european installation bus association, ib installation bus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2664 Audio light, animation, stage, theatre light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

A dynamically configurable electrical distribution system is provided for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices. The system comprises an electrical distribution panel and a plurality of switching devices mounted in the panel each electrically connected between an electrical power source and an associated load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the associated load device. A control system is mounted to the panel for controlling operation of the switching devices. The control system comprises a programmed controller for commanding operation of the switching devices. A memory stores configuration information relating to operation of the switching devices. The control system further comprises a user interface device. The program controller is programmed to implement a configuration routine enabling a user to define operation of the switching devices using the user interface. The configuration routine requests basic information to be entered by the user and responsive to the basic system information entered by the user automatically requests only detailed operation information required based on the entered basic system information.

Claims

1. A dynamically configurable electrical distribution system for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices, comprising:

an electrical distribution panel;

a plurality of switching devices mounted in the panel each electrically connected between an electrical power source and an associated load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the associated load device;

a control system mounted to the panel for controlling operation of the switching devices, the control system comprising a programmed controller for commanding operation of the switching devices, a memory storing configuration information relating to operation of the switching devices, and a user interface device, the programmed controller programmed to implement a configuration routine enabling a user to define operation of the switching devices using the user interface, the configuration routine requesting basic system information to be entered by the user, the basic system information comprising actual locations and types of switching devices in the panel, and responsive to basic system information entered by the user automatically requesting only detailed operation information required based on the entered basic system information, the detailed operation information comprising identifying zones of operation for a select plurality of the actual locations of the switching devices and selecting operating schedules for only the identified zones and/or individual actual locations of the switching devices.

2. The dynamically configurable electrical distribution system of claim 1 wherein the basic information further comprise input types and input/output mapping.

3. The dynamically configurable electrical distribution system of claim 1 wherein the user interface device comprises a touch screen display used by the user interface to enter configuration information.

4. The dynamically configurable electrical distribution system of claim 3 wherein the configuration routine generates a series of setup screens to be displayed on the touch screen display.

5. The dynamically configurable electrical distribution system of claim 4 wherein information requested on each setup screen is dynamically updated based on previous information entered by the user.

6. A dynamically configurable electrical distribution system for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices, comprising:

a plurality of electrical distribution panels;

a plurality of switching devices mounted in each panel, each switching device to be electrically connected between an electrical power source and an associated load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the associated load device;

a control system mounted to one of the plurality of panels for controlling operation of the switching devices, the control system comprising a programmed controller for commanding operation of the switching devices, a memory storing configuration information relating to operation of the switching devices, and a user interface device, the programmed controller programmed to implement a configuration routine enabling a user to define operation of the switching devices using the user interface, the configuration routine requesting basic system information to be entered by the user, the basic system information comprising identifying information for each of the plurality of electrical distribution panels and actual locations and types of switching devices in each panel, and responsive to basic system information entered by the user automatically requesting only detailed operation information required based on the entered basic system information, the detailed operation information comprising identifying zones of operation for a select plurality of the actual locations of the switching devices and selecting operating schedules for only the identified zones and/or individual actual locations of the switching devices.

7. The dynamically configurable electrical distribution system of claim 6 wherein the basic information further comprise input types and input/output mapping.

8. The dynamically configurable electrical distribution system of claim 6 wherein the user interface device comprises a touch screen display used by the user interface to enter configuration information.

9. The dynamically configurable electrical distribution system of claim 8 wherein the configuration routine generates a series of setup screens to be displayed on the touch screen display.

10. The dynamically configurable electrical distribution system of claim 9 wherein information requested on each setup screen is dynamically updated based on previous information entered by the user.

11. The method for dynamically configuring an electrical distribution system used for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices, comprising:

providing at least one electrical distribution panel;

providing a plurality of switching devices mounted in the panel or panels each electrically connected between an electrical power source and a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the load device;

providing a programmed controller for commanding operation of the switching devices in accordance with a scheduling routine and configuration information stored in a memory; and

operating a user interface of the programmed controller to enter the configuration information using a configuration routine enabling a user to define operation of the switching devices using the user interface, the configuration routine requesting basic system information to be entered by the user, the basic system information comprising actual locations and types of switching devices in the panel, and responsive to basic system information entered by the user automatically requesting only detailed operation information required based on the entered basic system information, the detailed operation information comprising identifying zones of operation for a select plurality of the actual locations of the switching devices and selecting operating schedules for only the identified zones and/or individual actual locations of the switching devices.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the basic information further comprise input types and input/output mapping.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the user interface comprises a display screen and requesting basic system information to be entered by the user comprises generating a screen display listing options to be selected by the user.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the configuration routine generates a series of setup screens to be displayed on the screen display.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein information requested on each setup screen is dynamically updated based on previous information entered by the user.