System and method for reducing peak and off-peak electricity demand by monitoring, controlling and metering lighting in a facility
First Claim
1. A method for metering energy use in a facility having a plurality of lighting fixtures, comprising:
- wirelessly transmitting an override signal from a first lighting fixture to a first group of lighting fixtures within a first transmission range;
receiving the override signal at the first group of lighting fixtures;
wirelessly retransmitting the override signal from one or more of the first group of lighting fixtures to a second group of lighting fixtures within a second transmission range, wherein the second transmission range is outside of the transmission range of the first lighting fixture;
receiving the retransmitted override signal at the second group of lighting fixtures and, in response to the retransmitted override signal;
(a) conducting an override at the second group of lighting fixtures and (b) reporting a status update from each of the second group of lighting fixtures to a master controller via at least one retransmission by one or more of the first group of lighting fixtures;
metering lighting system energy usage using at least the status information from the second group of lighting fixtures retransmitted to the master controller by the one or more of the first group of lighting fixtures;
evaluating an ambient light level near the first lighting fixture using a sensor coupled to control circuitry local to the first lighting fixture,wherein the first lighting fixture wirelessly transmits the override signal based on the evaluated ambient light level, andwherein at least one lighting fixture of the first group of lighting fixtures and the second group of lighting fixtures retransmits the override signal to the master controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods includes the steps of establishing predetermined load reduction criteria representative of a desire by a power provider to reduce loading on an electricity supply grid, and coordinating with a facility having lighting equipment to permit the power provider to turn-off one or more of the lighting equipment by sending instructions to a master controller at the facility in response to the predetermined load reduction criteria, and establishing a list of lighting equipment to be turned-off in response to the instructions, and configuring the master controller to send an override control signal to the lighting equipment to implement the instructions, and configuring the lighting equipment to send a response signal to the master controller providing a status of the lighting equipment.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for metering energy use in a facility having a plurality of lighting fixtures, comprising:
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wirelessly transmitting an override signal from a first lighting fixture to a first group of lighting fixtures within a first transmission range; receiving the override signal at the first group of lighting fixtures; wirelessly retransmitting the override signal from one or more of the first group of lighting fixtures to a second group of lighting fixtures within a second transmission range, wherein the second transmission range is outside of the transmission range of the first lighting fixture; receiving the retransmitted override signal at the second group of lighting fixtures and, in response to the retransmitted override signal;
(a) conducting an override at the second group of lighting fixtures and (b) reporting a status update from each of the second group of lighting fixtures to a master controller via at least one retransmission by one or more of the first group of lighting fixtures;metering lighting system energy usage using at least the status information from the second group of lighting fixtures retransmitted to the master controller by the one or more of the first group of lighting fixtures; evaluating an ambient light level near the first lighting fixture using a sensor coupled to control circuitry local to the first lighting fixture, wherein the first lighting fixture wirelessly transmits the override signal based on the evaluated ambient light level, and wherein at least one lighting fixture of the first group of lighting fixtures and the second group of lighting fixtures retransmits the override signal to the master controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for metering energy use in a facility having a plurality of lighting fixtures, comprising:
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a first group of lighting fixtures including a first lighting fixture; a master controller configured to wirelessly transmit an override signal to the first group of lighting fixtures within a wireless transmission range of the master controller; a second group of lighting fixtures outside the wireless transmission range of the master controller; wherein one or more lighting fixtures of the first group of lighting fixtures are configured to retransmit the override signal received from the master controller to the second group of lighting fixtures; wherein the second group of lighting fixtures are configured to, in response to receiving the retransmitted override signal, conduct an override of normal operation and report a status update to the master controller via at least one retransmission by one or more of the first group of lighting fixtures; wherein the master controller is configured to meter lighting system energy usage using at least the status information from the second group of lighting fixtures retransmitted to the master controller by the one or more lighting fixtures of the first group of lighting fixtures wherein the master controller is configured to evaluate an ambient light level near the first lighting fixture using a sensor coupled to control circuitry local to the first lighting fixture, and wherein the master controller wirelessly transmits the override signal based on the evaluated ambient light level. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification