Programmable underwater lighting system
First Claim
1. A programmable underwater lighting system, comprising:
- an underwater lighting fixture for installation in a pool or spa, the underwater lighting fixture including a light source, a microprocessor in electrical communication with the light source, a memory having at least one stored control program executable by the microprocessor for controlling the light source, an alternating current (AC) power supply for supplying electrical power to the underwater lighting fixture, a logic power supply for supplying electrical power to the microprocessor, and a Power Line Carrier communications subsystem connected between the AC power supply and the logic power supply, and in electrical communication with the AC power supply, the logic power supply, and the microprocessor, anda central controller remote from and in communication with the underwater lighting fixture, the central controller allowing a user to specify a desired lighting sequence and transmitting an instruction to the underwater lighting fixture over a power line interconnecting the central controller and the underwater lighting fixture to selectively execute the stored control program to produce the desired lighting sequence,wherein the underwater lighting fixture receives the instruction from the central controller via the AC power supply using the Power Line Carrier communications subsystem and executes the instruction, andwherein prior to transmitting the instruction to the underwater lighting fixture the central controller authenticates the lighting fixture by communicating with the lighting fixture and determining whether the lighting fixture is authorized for use with the central controller.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a programmable underwater lighting system for pools and spas. A plurality of underwater lights, each having a plurality of LEDs for producing light of various colors, a microprocessor for controlling the plurality of LEDs, and a memory in communication with the microprocessor containing one or more stored control programs, allow for the generation of various lighting effects in a pool or spa. A central controller is provided in communication with the plurality of underwater lights, and allows a user to define or select a desired lighting effect (such as a sequence, a fading effect, a “moving” color pattern, etc.) using a display and a keyboard. Optionally, a handheld remote control could be provided, in wireless communication with the central controller, for allowing a user to remotely control the plurality of lighting fixtures. When a desired lighting effect is defined by a user, the central controller transmits an instruction to each of the plurality of underwater lights instructing each light to execute a specific stored control program in its memory to produce the desired lighting effect. Each of the lights could be in communication with the central controller using a power line and an associated power line carrier data protocol, and each light could be provided with a thermal management system for monitoring the operating temperature of the light and automatically adjusting the brightness of the light to prevent dangerous temperatures.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A programmable underwater lighting system, comprising:
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an underwater lighting fixture for installation in a pool or spa, the underwater lighting fixture including a light source, a microprocessor in electrical communication with the light source, a memory having at least one stored control program executable by the microprocessor for controlling the light source, an alternating current (AC) power supply for supplying electrical power to the underwater lighting fixture, a logic power supply for supplying electrical power to the microprocessor, and a Power Line Carrier communications subsystem connected between the AC power supply and the logic power supply, and in electrical communication with the AC power supply, the logic power supply, and the microprocessor, and a central controller remote from and in communication with the underwater lighting fixture, the central controller allowing a user to specify a desired lighting sequence and transmitting an instruction to the underwater lighting fixture over a power line interconnecting the central controller and the underwater lighting fixture to selectively execute the stored control program to produce the desired lighting sequence, wherein the underwater lighting fixture receives the instruction from the central controller via the AC power supply using the Power Line Carrier communications subsystem and executes the instruction, and wherein prior to transmitting the instruction to the underwater lighting fixture the central controller authenticates the lighting fixture by communicating with the lighting fixture and determining whether the lighting fixture is authorized for use with the central controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A programmable underwater lighting fixture, comprising:
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a source of light; a microprocessor in electrical communication with the source of light; a memory in electrical communication with the microprocessor, the memory including a stored control program for controlling the source of light; an alternating current (AC) power supply for supplying electrical power to the underwater lighting fixture; a logic power supply for supplying electrical power to the microprocessor of the underwater lighting fixture; and a power line carrier transceiver connected between the AC power supply and the logic power supply, and in electrical communication with the AC power supply, the logic power supply, and the microprocessor for receiving instructions transmitted to the underwater lighting fixture through the AC power supply for remotely instructing the microprocessor to execute the stored control program to create a desired lighting effect, wherein prior to transmitting the instruction to the underwater lighting fixture a central controller authenticates the lighting fixture by communicating with the lighting fixture and determining whether the lighting fixture is authorized for use with the central controller. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An underwater lighting fixture, comprising:
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a circuit board; a source of light mounted to the circuit board; a microprocessor for controlling the source of light; and means mounted to the circuit board for detecting an operating temperature of the underwater lighting fixture, wherein said means are mounted at spaced locations peripherally about an area of the circuit board in which the source of light is mounted, and wherein if the operating temperature of the lighting fixture exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, the microprocessor computes a proportion of the total output of the source of light that is based on an excess temperature between the operating temperature and the predetermined temperature threshold, and reduces output of the source of light according to the computed proportion. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for illuminating a body of water, comprising:
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providing a plurality of underwater lighting fixtures in the body of water, each of the plurality of underwater lighting fixtures including a source of light, a microprocessor in electrical communication with the source of light, a memory in communication with the microprocessor, the memory having at least one stored control program for controlling the light, an alternating current (AC) power supply for supplying electrical power to the underwater lighting fixture, a logic power supply for supplying electrical power to the microprocessor, and a Power Line Carrier communications subsystem interconnected between the AC power supply and the logic power supply and in electrical communication with the microprocessor; interconnecting the plurality of underwater lighting fixtures with a central controller using power lines; authenticating each of the plurality of underwater lighting fixtures prior to transmitting instructions to the plurality of underwater lighting fixtures by communicating with the lighting fixture and determining whether the lighting fixture is authorized for use with the central controller; allowing a user to define a desired lighting effect for the body of water using the central controller; and transmitting instructions from the central controller to the plurality of underwater lighting fixtures through the power lines, the plurality of underwater lighting fixtures each receiving the instructions via the AC power supply using the Power Line Carrier communications subsystem and the instructions instructing the plurality of underwater lighting fixtures to selectively execute the at least one stored control program in each of the plurality of underwater lighting fixtures to create the desired lighting effect. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. An underwater lighting fixture, comprising:
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a circuit board; a source of light mounted to the circuit board; a microprocessor for controlling the source of light; and means mounted to the circuit board for detecting an operating temperature of the underwater lighting fixture, the microprocessor determining whether the light is above or below a waterline and dimming the source of light according to whether the light is above or below the waterline, wherein said means are mounted at spaced locations peripherally about an area of the circuit board in which the source of light is mounted.
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Specification