Wireless network control for building lighting system

• US 7,623,042 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2006
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Huizenga, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu; Van T.
• Application Number:
  US11/376,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20060215345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 340/641, 340/642, 340/643, 340/656, 340/815.6, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.26, 340/506, 340/511, 315/291, 315/224, 315/307, 315/308, 315/194, 315/86, 315/51, 702/185
• US Class Current: 340/641
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/24 having light-sensitive input
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/82 where the sensing device takes the initiative of sending data
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 31/50 specially adapted for ac
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

Wireless control of lighting fixtures via a wireless radio network using a radio-controlled relay device located between a lighting fixture or a ballast of a fluorescent fixture and its power supply. The radio-controlled device receives signals from remote controllers or via a computer interface. The wireless device is also configured to monitor the power consumption of a lighting fixture (or ballast) and send that information to the network. In the wireless control network, light level sensors and motion sensors also send information to the network to allow lights to respond to daylight levels or occupancy.

Claims

1. A wireless relay controller configured for connection between a power source and a ballast, comprising:

a power supply circuit configured to draw current from a lighting circuit of the power source;

a control signal circuit configured to wirelessly receive control signals to control operation of a specified relay associated with the ballast;

an on/off control circuit configured to control on or off power to the specified relay associated with the ballast in accordance with the wirelessly received control signal; and

an energy monitoring power sensor configured to

monitor energy use controlled by the control circuit, including energy use of the ballast or a plurality of lamps associated with the ballast, and

wirelessly send the energy use information to a host computer, the energy use information comprising a measurement of power consumption of the ballast or associated lamps.

2. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 further comprising a light sensor configured to measure a light level.

3. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 wherein the power supply circuit is compatible with any voltage including and between 24 VAC and 277 VAC.

4. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 wherein the control signal circuit is configured to deliver a 0-10 volt control signal to control light output.

5. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 further comprising a short-term backup power supply circuit connected with the power source.

6. The wireless relay controller of claim 5 wherein the short-term backup power supply circuit is configured to provide power during a power failure or circuit failure, wherein the power provided by the short-term backup power supply circuit allows continued communication of information regarding the failure for at least one hour.

7. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 further comprising a dimmer circuit configured to send a dimming signal to the ballast, wherein the ballast is capable of dimming an associated lamp based on the dimming signal.

8. The wireless relay controller of claim 7 wherein the associated lamp includes dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs.

9. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 further comprising a housing and wherein the housing includes a magnetic portion for the attachment against a light fixture.

10. The wireless relay controller of claim 9 wherein the housing is dimensioned to fit in a ballast channel of the light source.

11. The wireless relay controller of claim 1, wherein the received control signal is sent from the host computer, the control signal concerning one of energy conservation, demand response, and diagnostics.

12. The wireless relay controller of claim 1, wherein monitoring energy use includes measuring an actual reduction in power consumption related to the control signal.

13. A wireless lighting control system, comprising:

a wireless relay controller configured for connection between a power source and a ballast, the wireless relay controller comprising

a power supply circuit configured to draw current from a lighting circuit of the power source;

a control signal circuit configured to wirelessly receive control signals to control operation of a specified relay associated with the ballast;

an on/off control circuit configured to control on or off power to the specified relay associated with the ballast in accordance with the wirelessly received control signal; and

an energy monitoring power sensor configured to

monitor energy use controlled by the control circuit, including energy use of the ballast or a plurality of lamps associated with the ballast, and

wirelessly send the energy use information to a host computer, the energy use information comprising a measurement of power consumption of the ballast or associated lamps;

one or more wireless nodes, each wireless node configured to generate a command for communication over a wireless network; and

a software-controlled interface device configured to wirelessly receive a command from the one or more wireless nodes and wirelessly communicate the command to the wireless relay controller.

14. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein the wireless relay controller further comprises a light sensor configured to measure a light level.

15. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein the wireless relay controller further comprises a short-term backup power supply circuit connected with the power source.

16. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein the wireless relay controller further comprises a dimmer circuit.

17. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein the command includes instructions for operation of the wireless relay controller in one of a message interrupt mode and a timer interrupt mode.

18. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein the command includes instructions concerning on/off control by the wireless relay controller.

19. The wireless lighting control system of claim 18, wherein the command is generated by a wireless controller node.

20. The wireless lighting control system of claim 18, wherein the command is generated by a wireless occupancy sensor node.

21. The wireless lighting control system of claim 18, wherein the command is generated by a wireless light level sensor node.

22. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein the command includes instructions concerning an energy request signal to the wireless relay controller.

23. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein the command includes instructions concerning an operational check signal to the wireless relay controller.

24. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein the received control signal is sent from the host computer, the control signal concerning one of energy conservation, demand response, and diagnostics.

25. The wireless lighting control system of claim 13, wherein monitoring energy use includes measuring an actual reduction in power consumption related to the control signal.

26. A method for wireless relay control, the method comprising:

wirelessly receiving control signals concerning operation of a specified relay associated with a ballast;

controlling power provided from a power source to the specified relay associated with the ballast in accordance with the wirelessly received control signal, the control being exerted by a control circuit;

monitoring energy use under control of the, including energy use of the ballast or a plurality of lamps associated with the ballast; and

wirelessly sending the energy use information to a host computer, the energy use information comprising a measurement of power consumption of the ballast or associated lamps.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the received control signal is sent from the host computer, the control signal concerning one of energy conservation, demand response, and diagnostics.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein monitoring energy use includes measuring an actual reduction in power consumption related to the control signal.