Combined lighting device with an integrated dimming control system

• US 9,035,572 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2013
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dolan Designs Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dolan Designs Incorporated
• Inventors: Dolan, Patrick S.
• Primary Examiner(s): White, Dylan
• Application Number:
  US13/762,186
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 315291-294, 315/307, 315/314
• US Class Current: 315/294
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/06 by suspension
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/008 Suspending from a cable or suspension line
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 35/00 Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light

Abstract

A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device includes a support structure supporting multiple lighting zones, an ensemble of the zones defining a lighting scene. A master dimming control built into the support structure has a power input line and multiple dimmers. The zones are coupled to the dimmer output lines to receive a controlled setting from the corresponding dimmer. A remote control device communicates with the master dimming control, and has a memory for storing settings for the multiple zones and a user interface for a user to select a stored setting for each zone or a scene composed of multiple zones. Settings can be prestored or programmed by the user. The master dimming control includes a controller responsive to receiving the set of settings to set the controlled setting of the corresponding dimmer for each zone in the selected scene to conform the zones to the settings in the selected scene.

Claims

1. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device comprising:

a support structure of a lighting device supporting multiple lighting zones, each lighting zone including one or more lighting sources, one or more of the multiple zones defining a lighting scene;

a master dimming control built into the support structure, the master dimming control having a power input line and multiple dimmers, each dimmer having an output line, and each of the zones coupled to one of the dimmer output lines to receive a controlled setting from the corresponding dimmer;

a remote control device including a communications module in communications with the master dimming control, a memory for storing N sets of settings for the multiple zones, and a user interface for a user to select a stored setting for each zone,

the master dimming control including a communications receiver and a controller responsive to receiving the set of settings to set the controlled setting of the corresponding dimmer for each zone in the selected scene and thereby conform the zones to the set of settings in the selected scene.

2. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 1 in which the remote control device communicates with the master dimming control via wireless communications.

3. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 1 in which the remote control device communicates with the master dimming control via power-line communications.

4. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 1 in which the user interface is operative to enable the user to input a setting for each zone into the remote control device and further operative to enable the user to store each set of settings as a scene so that the user can apply a stored set of settings by selecting a corresponding scene.

5. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 1 in which the memory for storing N sets of settings includes preset settings for the multiple zones.

6. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 1 in which the memory for storing N sets of settings includes default settings for the multiple zones.

7. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 1 in which the master dimming control includes dimmers for at least four zones and the memory for storing N sets of settings provides for storage of at least four settings in each set and the number of N sets is at least two for storing settings for at least two scenes.

8. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device comprising:

a support structure of a lighting device supporting multiple lighting zones, each lighting zone including one or more lighting sources, one or more of the multiple zones defining a lighting scene;

a master dimming control built into the support structure, the master dimming control having a power input line and multiple dimmers, each dimmer having an output line, and each of the zones coupled to one of the dimmer output lines to receive a controlled setting from the corresponding dimmer; and

a remote control device including a communications module in communications with the master dimming control, a memory for storing N sets of settings for the multiple zones, and a user interface for a user to select a stored setting for each zone,

the master dimming control including a communications receiver and a controller responsive to receiving the set of settings to set the controlled setting of the corresponding dimmer for each zone in the selected scene and thereby conform the zones to the set of settings in the selected scene;

in which a single power line provides power to the master dimming controller which in turn distributes power according the settings in the selected scene to the zones.

9. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 8 in which at least one of the dimmers is operative to distribute high voltage power to one of the zones.

10. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 8 in which at least one of the dimmers is operative to distribute low voltage power to one of the zones.

11. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device comprising:

a support structure of a lighting device supporting multiple lighting zones, each lighting zone including one or more lighting sources, the multiple zones together defining a lighting scene;

a master dimming control built into the support structure, the master dimming control having a power input line and multiple dimmers, each dimmer having an output line, and each of the zones coupled to one of the dimmer output lines to receive a controlled setting from the corresponding dimmer;

a remote control device including a communications module in communications with the master dimming control, a memory for storing N sets of settings for the multiple zones, each set of settings defining the settings for a scene, and a user interface for a user to select and transmit a stored set of settings for a desired scene to the master dimming control;

the master dimming control including a controller responsive to receiving the set of settings to set the corresponding dimmers for the selected scene.

12. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 11 in which the multiple zones include light sources on the support structure for at least three of the following zones:

a general area lighting zone, a downward direct or task lighting zone, an accent lighting zone, an indirect lighting zone, and a grazing lighting zone.

13. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 11 in which one of the multiple zones further include a fan motor, and the master dimming control includes a dimmer for controlling motor speed and circuitry for controlling motor direction.

14. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 11 in which one or more of the multiple zones includes a color changeable light source.

15. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 11 in which the multiple zones include light sources on the support structure for the following zones:

a general area lighting zone, a downward direct or task lighting zone, and an accent lighting zone.

16. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 11 in which the multiple zones include light sources on the support structure for the following zones:

a general area lighting zone, a downward direct or task lighting zone, and an indirect lighting zone.

17. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 11 in which the multiple zones include light sources on the support structure for the following zones:

a general area lighting zone, a downward direct or task lighting zone, and a grazing lighting zone.

18. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 11 in which the multiple zones include light sources on the support structure for the following zones:

an accent lighting zone, a downward direct or task lighting zone, and a grazing lighting zone.

19. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 11 in which the multiple zones include light sources on the support structure for the following zones:

an indirect lighting zone, a downward direct or task lighting zone, and a grazing lighting zone.

20. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 19 in which one or more of the multiple zones includes a color changeable light source.

21. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device comprising:

a support structure of a lighting device supporting multiple lighting zones, each lighting zone including one or more lighting sources, one or more of the multiple zones defining a lighting scene;

a master dimming control built into the support structure, the master dimming control having a power input line and multiple dimmers, each dimmer having an output line, and each of the zones coupled to one of the dimmer output lines to receive a controlled setting from the corresponding dimmer; and

a remote control device including a communications module in communications with the master dimming control, a memory for storing N sets of settings for the multiple zones, and a user interface for a user to select a stored setting for each zone,

the master dimming control including a communications receiver and a controller responsive to receiving the set of settings to set the controlled setting of the corresponding dimmer for each zone in the selected scene and thereby conform the zones to the set of settings in the selected scene;

in which the support structure includes an upper portion and a lower portion suspended from the upper portion, the lower portion supporting light sources for multiple zones and having a first diameter, and the upper portion having a second diameter at which one or more light sources for at least one additional zone are supported, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter.

22. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 21 in which the multiple zones include light sources on the support structure for at least three of the following zones:

a general area lighting zone, a downward direct or task lighting zone, an accent lighting zone, an indirect lighting zone, and a grazing lighting zone.

23. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device comprising:

a support structure of a lighting device supporting multiple lighting zones, each lighting zone including one or more lighting sources, one or more of the multiple zones defining a lighting scene;

a master dimming control built into the support structure, the master dimming control having a power input line and multiple dimmers, each dimmer having an output line, and each of the zones coupled to one of the dimmer output lines to receive a controlled setting from the corresponding dimmer; and

a remote control device including a communications module in communications with the master dimming control, a memory for storing N sets of settings for the multiple zones, and a user interface for a user to select a stored setting for each zone,

the master dimming control including a communications receiver and a controller responsive to receiving the set of settings to set the controlled setting of the corresponding dimmer for each zone in the selected scene and thereby conform the zones to the set of settings in the selected scene;

in which the support structure includes a base portion and a body portion connected to the base portion, the body portion supporting light sources for multiple zones, and the base portion having one or more light sources for at least one additional zone.

24. A multi-scene, multi-zone lighting device according to claim 23 in which the lighting device includes a floor lamp.