Managing SSL fixtures over PLC networks

• US 9,591,724 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2013
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify Holding B.V. (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Shah, Ashok Deepak, Roberts, David Diehl III
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/919,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20130271038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 307/140
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25387 Control sequences so as to optimize energy use by controlled machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/24 using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/60 Circuit arrangements for operating LEDs comprising organic material, e.g. for operating organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] or polymer light-emitting diodes [PLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Managing solid-state luminary (SSL) fixtures over power line carrier (PLC) networks is described herein. Devices provided in this description include SSL arrays, and converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL arrays. More specifically, the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL arrays. The devices also include (PLC) modems for coupling to PLC networks, and coupled to the converter circuitry. In particular, the PLC modems interface the converter circuitry to the PLC networks.

Claims

1. A power line carrier network system for controlling a solid-state luminary fixture using a power distribution network that distributes electrical power, comprising:

a local controller comprising

a processor configured to receive and process a control signal to control the solid-state luminary (SSL) fixture,

an SSL lighting node comprising

a power converter to receive input power from a PLC network, and

receive the control signal to control a power convertor to modulate the input power to provide a level of illumination specified by the control signal,

a power line carrier (PLC) modem coupled to the PLC network configured to

extract the control signal from the PLC network;

decode the control signal;

route the control signal to an SSL lighting node interfaced with the PLC network;

receive feedback from the power converter;

encode the feedback for transmission on the PLC network; and

inject the feedback onto the PLC network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the input power is modulated to increase an illumination level of the SSL lighting node in response to the control signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the input power is modulated to decrease an illumination level of the SSL lighting node in response to the control signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power convertor is configured to provide feedback that represents:

an electrical load demanded by the SSL lighting node, a temperature status associated with the SSL lighting node, an operational status of the SSL lighting node, or a response to the control signal received over the PLC network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the PLC modem is configured to receive the feedback on an event-driven basis.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second SSL lighting node coupled to the PLC modem.

7. A method for controlling a solid-state luminary fixture using a power distribution network that distributes electrical power, the method comprising:

receiving and processing control signals from a PLC network to control the solid-state luminary (SSL) fixture;

extracting the control signals;

decoding the control signals;

routing the control signals to an SSL lighting node interfaced with the PLC network;

receiving the control signals to control a power convertor to modulate input power to provide a level of illumination specified by the control signals;

receiving feedback from the power converter;

encoding the feedback for transmission on the PLC network; and

injecting the feedback onto the PLC network.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the input power is modulated to increase an illumination level of the SSL lighting node in response to the control signal.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the input power is modulated to decrease an illumination level of the SSL lighting node in response to the control signal.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the feedback represents:

an electrical load demanded by the SSL lighting node;

a temperature status associated with the SSL lighting node;

an operational status of the SSL lighting node;

or a response to the control signals received over the PLC network.

11. A computer storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereupon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive and process control signals from a PLC network to control a solid-state luminary (SSL) fixture;

extract the control signals;

decode the control signals;

route the control signals to an SSL lighting node interfaced with the PLC network;

receive the control signals to control a power convertor to modulate input power to provide a level of illumination specified by the control signals;

receive feedback from the power converter;

encode the feedback for transmission on the PLC network; and

inject the feedback onto the PLC network.

12. The computer storage medium of claim 11, wherein the input power is modulated to increase an illumination level of the SSL lighting node in response to the control signal.

13. The computer storage medium of claim 11, wherein the input power is modulated to decrease an illumination level of the SSL lighting node in response to the control signal.

14. The computer storage medium of claim 11, wherein the feedback represents:

an electrical load demanded by the SSL lighting node;

a temperature status associated with the SSL lighting node;

an operational status of the SSL lighting node;

or a response to the control signal received over the PLC network.