Method for wiring devices in a structure using a wireless network

• US 8,598,993 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qmotion Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Homerun Holdings Corporation
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Yan, Bennett, Thomas III
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, QUANG
• Application Number:
  US12/192,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20100039240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,936 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.11, 340/13.24, 340/13.25, 340/12.38, 340/4.11, 340/815.6, 340/12.22
• US Class Current: 340/13.24
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for controlling lighting fixtures over a wireless network that includes connecting a junction box to a power source, connecting a lighting fixture to the junction box, establishing a connection over a wireless network between the junction box and a controller, and controlling a function of the lighting fixture by transmitting a signal from the controller to the junction box over the wireless network.

Claims

1. A method for controlling lighting fixtures over a wireless network, comprising:

connecting elements included in a junction box to a power source and a lighting fixture, the elements enabling dimming and/or powering of the lighting fixture and communication via the wireless network;

connecting the lighting fixture to the elements included in the junction box;

wiring a three-way switch or a four-way switch to the elements included in the junction box;

establishing a connection over the wireless network between the elements included in the junction box and a controller for controlling dimming and/or powering of the lighting fixture;

receiving programming to reconfigure the controller to operate correctly when the elements included in the junction box are wired incorrectly to the switch; and

controlling a dimming and/or powering function of the lighting fixture by transmitting a signal from the controller to the junction box over the wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is battery operated or connected to a power outlet of a structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprises a wireless mesh network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the junction box further includes a relaying element enabling relaying of the transmitted signal from the controller to another controller or another lighting fixture.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the junction box comprises a removable housing for the elements included in the junction box.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising programming the controller.

7. A system for controlling lighting fixtures of a structure prepared by a process, the process comprising:

connecting elements included in a junction box to a power source and a lighting fixture, the elements enabling dimming and/or powering of the lighting fixture and communication via the wireless network;

connecting the lighting fixture to the junction box;

wiring a three-way switch or a four-way switch to the elements included in the junction box;

establishing a connection over the wireless network between the elements included in the junction box and a controller for controlling dimming and/or powering of the lighting fixture;

receiving programming to reconfigure the controller to operate correctly when the elements included in the junction box are wired incorrectly to the switch; and

controlling a dimming and/or powering function of the lighting fixture by transmitting a signal from the controller to the junction box over the wireless network.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is battery operated or connected to a power outlet of the structure.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the wireless network comprises a wireless mesh network.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the junction box further includes a relaying element enabling relaying of the transmitted signal from the controller to another controller or another lighting fixture.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the junction box comprises a removable housing for the elements included in the junction box.

12. The system of claim 7, further comprising programming the controller.

13. A system for controlling lighting fixtures of a structure over a wireless network, comprising:

elements included in a junction box, the elements enabling dimming and/or powering of the lighting fixture and communication over the wireless network via a wireless communicating element; and

a controller, configured for wireless communication with the wireless communicating element, to control a dimming and/or powering function of the lighting fixture operably connected to the elements in junction box by transmitting a signal over the wireless network to the elements of the junction box, wherein

the elements included in the junction box are wired to a three-way switch or a four-way switch, and

the controller is configured to receive programming to reconfigure the controller to operate correctly when the elements included in the junction box are wired incorrectly to the switch.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is battery operated or connected to a power outlet of the structure.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the wireless network comprises a wireless mesh network.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the elements included in the junction box further includes a relaying element enabling relaying the transmitted signal from the controller to another controller or another lighting fixture.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the junction box comprises a removable housing for the elements included in the junction box.