Managing SSL fixtures over PLC networks

• US 8,148,854 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Shah, Ashok Deepak, Roberts, David Diehl III
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US12/408,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20090238252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 307/140
• US Class Current: 307/140
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25387 Control sequences so as to optimize energy use by controlled machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/24 using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/60 Circuit arrangements for operating LEDs comprising organic material, e.g. for operating organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] or polymer light-emitting diodes [PLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Managing solid-state luminary (SSL) fixtures over power line carrier (PLC) networks is described herein. Devices provided in this description include SSL arrays, and converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL arrays. More specifically, the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL arrays. The devices also include (PLC) modems for coupling to PLC networks, and coupled to the converter circuitry. In particular, the PLC modems interface the converter circuitry to the PLC networks.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a solid-state luminary (SSL) array;

converter circuitry coupled to the SSL array and adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into output power for driving the SSL array; and

a power line carrier (PLC) modem coupled to the power distribution network and configured to receive a control signal over a PLC network on the power distribution network, determine if the control signal is addressed to the device, and upon determining that the control signal is addressed to the device, decode the control signal and configure the converter circuitry to drive the SSL array to an illumination level based on the control signal, wherein the PLC modem is further configured to receive feedback from the converter circuitry, encode the feedback for transmission on the PLC network, and inject the feedback onto the PLC network.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the converter circuitry is operative to provide feedback that represents a temperature status associated with the SSL array, an operational status of the SSL array, or a response to the control signal received over the PLC network.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the PLC modem is operative to receive the feedback on an event-driven basis.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least a further SSL array coupled to be driven by the converter circuitry in parallel with the SSL array.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein configuring the converter circuitry to drive the SSL array is performed by a local controller coupled with the PLC modem.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the input voltage received from the power distribution network is direct current (DC) voltage.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the converter circuitry is adapted to convert the input voltage to modulated output power for driving the SSL array.

6. A process comprising:

receiving a control signal at a solid-state luminary (SSL) lighting node over a power line carrier (PLC) network;

determining whether the control signal is addressed to the SSL lighting node;

upon determining that the control signal is addressed to the SSL lighting node, converting an input voltage into modulated output power based on the control signal for driving one or more SSL arrays coupled to the SSL lighting node;

generating feedback data regarding a change in status of the one or more SSL arrays attached to the SSL lighting node as a result of the control signal; and

transmitting the feedback data over the PLC network.

7. The process of claim 6, further comprising associating the SSL lighting node with an address defined within the PLC network.

8. The process of claim 6, further comprising addressing the control signal to the SSL lighting node via the PLC network.

9. The process of claim 6, further comprising controlling a plurality of SSL arrays by addressing the control signal to the SSL lighting node.

10. The process of claim 6, further comprising addressing the control signal to at least a further SSL lighting node.

11. The process of claim 6, wherein the input voltage comprises direct current (DC) voltage.

12. A process comprising:

replacing a lighting fixture in a power distribution network with a solid-state luminary (SSL) array;

replacing a lighting control device in the power distribution network with converter circuitry that is configured to drive the SSL array;

replacing a lighting control device in the power distribution network with a power line carrier (PLC) modem coupled at least to provide control signals to the converter circuitry;

coupling the PLC modem to communicate via a PLC network overlaid onto the power distribution network;

installing an additional SSL array; and

installing a low-voltage cable that couples the SSL array and the additional SSL array to be controlled together.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the SSL array, the converter circuitry, and the PLC modem are integrated into one SSL lighting fixture.

14. The process of claim 12, further comprising removing at least one lighting fixture from an existing building installation, wherein the lighting fixture is powered by the power distribution network.

15. The process of claim 14, further comprising replacing a switch component that controls the lighting fixture with at least the PLC modem, and further comprising installing a cable that couples the PLC modem and the SSL array.

18. The process of claim 12, wherein the power distribution network supplies direct current (DC) voltage.

19. A device comprising:

a solid-state luminary (SSL) array;

converter circuitry coupled to the SSL array and adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into output power for driving the SSL array, wherein the input voltage received from the power distribution network is direct current (DC) voltage; and

a power line carrier (PLC) modem coupled to the power distribution network and configured to receive a control signal over a PLC network on the power distribution network, determine if the control signal is addressed to the device, and upon determining that the control signal is addressed to the device, decode the control signal and configure the converter circuitry to drive the SSL array to an illumination level based on the control signal.

20. A process comprising:

replacing a lighting fixture in a power distribution network with a solid-state luminary (SSL) array, wherein the power distribution network supplies direct current (DC) voltage;

replacing a lighting control device in the power distribution network with converter circuitry that is configured to drive the SSL array;

replacing a lighting control device in the power distribution network with a power line carrier (PLC) modem coupled at least to provide control signals to the converter circuitry; and

coupling the PLC modem to communicate via a PLC network overlaid onto the power distribution network.