Wireless sensor

• US 9,664,814 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2014
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Huizenga, Charles, Corr, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Khan, Omer S
• Application Number:
  US14/459,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20140354995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721, 340 1034
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/1793 Remote sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/27 using photo-electric detection G01N21/31 takes precedence; circuits for computing concentration logarithmic circuits G06G7/24; photometric circuits in general G01J
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/20 using multiple transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Systems and methods for wirelessly detecting area changes are provided. Predetermined thresholds may be stored in memory. Each predetermined threshold is associated with a time of day, calendar day, and/or activity. The sensor may detect a change in the in the targeted area. The detected change is evaluated to determine an applicable threshold. Then it may be determined whether the detected change meets a predetermined threshold. If so, information regarding the change is wirelessly transmitted to an associated controller that controls light in the targeted area. The operation of the light may be controlled based on the wirelessly transmitted information.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a plurality of red, green, and blue (RGB) sensors that each measure light spectrum information in a target area; and

a controller configured to;

evaluate light spectrum information in the target area when artificial light is output by one or more artificial lights in the target area;

determine a total light measurement in the target area when the artificial light is output by the one or more artificial lights in the target area;

correlate the light spectrum information in the target area with light output information of the one or more artificial lights in the target area;

calculate a portion of the total light measurement that is natural light and a portion of the total light measurement that is artificial light output by one or more artificial lights based on the correlation of the light spectrum information in the target area with the light output information of the one or more artificial lights in the target area; and

wherein calculating the portion of the total light measurement further comprises;

deactivating the one or more artificial lights;

specifically identifying direct beam sunlight in the target area using spatial distribution;

using the light spectrum information received by the plurality of red, green, and blue (RGB) sensors, characterizing a color signature of the direct beam sunlight sensed by the plurality of RGB sensors, as well as a color signature of the natural light sensed in the target area under at least one different condition sensed by the plurality of RGB sensors; and

selectively activating the one or more artificial lights based on the total light measurement and the light spectrum information sensed and characterized by the plurality of red, green, and blue (RGB) sensors, relative to an applicable threshold.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to express the portion of light in the target area that is artificial light output by one or more artificial lights as a percentage of the total light measured in the target area and expressing the portion of light in the target area that is natural light as a percentage of the total light measured in the target area.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to recognize a signature of a color shift in the target area as compared to a change in work surface luminance using the light spectrum information.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to identify the color signature for the natural light in the target area.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a contribution of each of the natural light and the artificial light that is output by one or more artificial lights in the target area to the total light measurement.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine luminance within the target area caused by the direct beam sunlight.

7. A method, comprising:

receiving light spectrum information from a plurality of sensors comprising red green, and blue (RGB) sensors in a target area;

evaluating the light spectrum information in the target area when artificial light is output by one or more artificial lights in the target area;

determining a total light measurement in the target area when artificial light is output by one or more artificial lights in the target area;

correlating the light spectrum information in the target area with light output information of the one or more artificial lights in the target area;

calculating a portion of the total light measurement that is natural light and a portion the total light measurement that is artificial light output by one or more artificial lights based on the correlation of the light spectrum information in the target area with the light output information of the one or more artificial lights in the target area; and

wherein calculating the portion of the total light measurement further comprises;

deactivating the one or more artificial lights;

specifically identifying direct beam sunlight in the target area using spatial distribution;

using the light spectrum information received by the red, green, and blue (RGB) sensors, characterizing a color signature of the direct beam sunlight sensed by the RGB sensors, as well as a color signature of the natural light in the target area under at least one different condition sensed by the RGB sensors; and

selectively activating the one or more artificial lights based on the total light measurement and the light spectrum information sensed and characterized by the red, green, and blue (RGB) sensors, relative to an applicable threshold.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the natural light is at least one of sunlight in the target area and light measured in the target area when the one or more artificial lights are turned off.

9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising expressing the portion of light in the target area that is artificial light output by one or more artificial lights as a percentage of the total light measured in the target area and expressing the portion of light in the target area that is natural light as a percentage of the total light measured in the target area.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising controlling the one or more artificial lights based on the calculated percentages.

11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising recognizing a signature of a color shift in the target area as compared to a change in work surface luminance using the light spectrum information.

12. The method according to claim 7, further comprising determining luminance within the target area caused by the direct beam sunlight.