Lighting control with automatic and bypass modes

• US 8,587,219 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2011
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Building Robotics, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Enlighted, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Mohan, Tanuj, Ashar, Premal, Nasarbadi, Loharasp M., Perkins, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Tung X
• Application Number:
  US13/043,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20120229049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/294, 315/297, 315/307, 315/312, 315/360, 315/362
• US Class Current: 315/307
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control

Abstract

Methods, systems and apparatuses for controlling a light through an automatic mode and a bypass mode are disclosed. One method includes receiving physical signaling. Detection of a predetermined sequence of the physical signaling is used to determine whether to control the light in the automatic mode or the bypass mode. The automatic mode provides network control of the light, and the bypass mode bypasses the network control of the light. One lighting system includes a light, a sensor for receiving and sensing the physical signaling, and a controller detecting a predetermined sequence of the physical signaling. Detection of a predetermined sequence of the physical signaling is used to determine whether to control the light in the automatic mode or the bypass mode. The automatic mode provides network control of the light, and the bypass mode bypasses the network control of the light.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a light through an automatic mode and a bypass mode, comprising;

receiving physical signaling;

detecting a first predetermined sequence and a second predetermined sequence of the physical signaling for determining whether to control the light in the automatic mode or the bypass mode, wherein detection of the first predetermined sequence causes the light to be operated in the automatic mode and detection of the second predetermined sequence causes the light to be operated in the bypass mode;

wherein

the automatic mode provides network control of the light, and the bypass mode bypasses the network control of the light.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined sequence and the second predetermined sequence are non-overlapping.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined sequence and the second predetermined sequence are orthogonal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical signaling is provided through a power supply of the light, and the first predetermined sequence is detected by detecting power cycling of the power supply.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a second predetermined sequence, and further comprising setting the light in the automatic mode or the bypass mode based upon timing of a plurality of sensed power cycles of the power supply, wherein a timing of power cycling of the power supply according to the first sequence puts the light in the bypass mode and timing of power cycling of the power supply according to the second sequence puts the light in the automatic mode.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein a bypass flag is reset upon powering up the light, and the bypass flag is further set or reset based upon sensing the first sequence or the second sequence, and the setting of the bypass flag determines whether the light is in the automatic mode or the bypass mode.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is interfaced with an external network in the automatic mode, and the network is disconnected from the external network in the bypass mode.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the light is manually controlled by a user in the bypass mode.

7. A method of controlling a light through an automatic mode and a bypass mode, comprising;

receiving physical signaling, wherein the physical signaling is provided through a sensor sensing light;

detecting a first predetermined sequence of the physical signaling for determining whether to control the light in the automatic mode or the bypass mode, wherein the first predetermined sequence is detected by detecting intensity cycling of a source of light;

the automatic mode provides network control of the light, and the bypass mode bypasses the network control of the light.

10. A lighting system, comprising:

a light;

a sensor for receiving and sensing the physical signaling;

a controller detecting a first predetermined sequence and a second predetermined sequence of the physical signaling, wherein detection of the first predetermined sequence causes the light to be operated in an automatic mode and detection of the second predetermined sequence causes the light to be operated in a bypass mode;

wherein

the automatic mode provides network control of the light, and the bypass mode bypasses the network control of the light.

11. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the first predetermined sequence and the second predetermined sequence are non-overlapping.

12. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the first predetermined sequence and the second predetermined sequence are orthogonal.

13. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the physical signaling is provided through a power supply of the light, and the first predetermined sequence is detected by detecting power cycling of the power supply.

14. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the physical signaling is provided through a sensor sensing light, and the first predetermined sequence is detected by detecting intensity cycling of light.

15. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the network is interfaced with an external network in the automatic mode, and the network is disconnected from the external network in the bypass mode.

16. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the light is manually controlled by a user in the bypass mode.

17. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light;

a sensor for receiving and sensing the physical signaling;

a controller detecting a first predetermined sequence and a second predetermined sequence of the physical signaling, wherein detection of the first predetermined sequence causes the light to be operated in an automatic mode and detection of the second predetermined sequence causes the light to be operated in a bypass mode;

wherein

the automatic mode provides network control of the light, and the bypass mode bypasses the network control of the light.

18. A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a light;

a sensor for receiving and sensing the physical signaling;

a controller operative to detect a first predetermined sequence of the physical signaling, for determining whether to control the light in an automatic mode or a bypass mode, wherein detection of the first predetermined sequence toggles the light from a one of the automatic mode and the bypass mode to the other of the automatic mode and the bypass mode, wherein detection of the first predetermined sequence includes a counter counting a preset number of cycles of the physical signaling within a predetermined period of time, without use of a real time clock;

the automatic mode provides network control of the light, and the bypass mode bypasses the network control of the light.