Wireless network control for building lighting system

• US 20060215345A1
• Filed: 03/14/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Huizenga, Charles A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,623,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/173
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/24 having light-sensitive input
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/82 where the sensing device takes the initiative of sending data
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• 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: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

Wireless control of lighting fixtures via a wireless radio network using a radio-controlled relay device located between a lighting fixture or a ballast of a fluorescent fixture and its power supply. The radio-controlled device receives signals from remote controllers or via a computer interface. The wireless device is also configured to monitor the power consumption of a lighting fixture (or ballast) and send that information to the network. In the wireless control network, light level sensors and motion sensors also send information to the network to allow lights to respond to daylight levels or occupancy.

Claims

1. A wireless relay controller configured for connection between a power source and a light source, comprising:

a power supply circuit configured to draw current from the lighting circuit of the power source;

an on/off control circuit configured to switch on or off power to the light source;

a power sensor configured to monitor the energy use of the light source controlled by the wireless relay controller; and

a control signal circuit configured to wirelessly receive control signals to control the operation of the light source.

2. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 further comprising a light sensor configured to measure a light level.

3. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 wherein the power supply circuit is compatible with any voltage including and between 24 VAC and 277 VAC.

4. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 wherein the control signal circuit is configured to deliver a 0-10 volt control signal to control light output.

5. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 further comprising a short-term backup power supply circuit connected with the power source.

6. The wireless relay controller of claim 5 wherein the short-term backup power supply circuit is configured so that in the event of a power failure or circuit failure, the wireless relay controller has the ability to continue operating for at least one hour.

7. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 further comprising a dimmer circuit.

8. The wireless relay controller of claim 7 wherein the dimmer circuit is configured for dimming incandescent bulbs or dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs.

9. The wireless relay controller of claim 1 further comprising a housing and wherein the housing includes a magnetic portion.

10. The wireless relay controller of claim 9 wherein the housing is dimensioned to fit in a ballast channel of the light source.

11. A wireless relay controller configured for connection between a power source and a light source, comprising:

a power supply circuit configured to draw current from the lighting circuit of the power source;

an on/off control circuit configured to switch on or off power to the light source;

a light sensor configured to measure a light level;

a power sensor configured to monitor the energy use of the light source controlled by said wireless relay controller;

a control signal circuit configured to wirelessly receive control signals to control the operation of the light source;

a short-term backup power supply circuit connected with the power source; and

a dimmer circuit.

12. A wireless lighting control system, comprising:

a wireless relay controller configured for connection between a power source and a light source, the wireless relay controller comprising

a power supply circuit configured to draw current from the lighting circuit of the power source;

an on/off control circuit configured to switch on or off power to the light source;

a power sensor configured to monitor the energy use of the light source controlled by the wireless relay controller;

a control signal circuit configured to wirelessly receive control signals to control the operation of the light source;

a wireless controller node configured to generate a command and exchange it over a wireless network;

a wireless occupancy sensor node configured to generate a command and exchange it over a wireless network;

a wireless light level sensor node configured to generate a command and exchange it over a wireless network; and

a software-controlled interface device configured to communicate over a wireless network to interface with the wireless relay controller, the wireless controller node, the wireless occupancy sensor node, and the wireless light level sensor node,

the software controlled interface configured to execute a computer program on the interface device to cause the interface device to allow signals generated via the computer program to be communicated between the interface device and the wireless network.

13. The wireless lighting control system of claim 12, wherein the wireless relay controller further comprises a light sensor configured to measure a light level.

14. The wireless lighting control system of claim 12, wherein the wireless relay controller further comprises a short-term backup power supply circuit connected with the power source.

15. The wireless lighting control system of claim 12, wherein the wireless relay controller further comprises a dimmer circuit.

16. The wireless lighting control system of claim 12, wherein the computer program includes instructions for operation in one of a message interrupt mode and a timer interrupt mode.

17. The wireless lighting control system of claim 12, wherein the computer program includes instructions for transmitting an on/off command to the wireless relay controller.

18. The wireless lighting control system of claim 17, wherein the instructions for transmitting an on/off command to the wireless relay controller are sent in response to the command generated by the wireless controller node.

19. The wireless lighting control system of claim 17, wherein the instructions for transmitting an on/off command to the wireless relay controller are sent in response to the command generated by the wireless occupancy sensor node.

20. The wireless lighting control system of claim 17, wherein the instructions for transmitting an on/off command to the wireless relay controller are sent in response to the command generated by the wireless light level sensor node.

21. The wireless lighting control system of claim 12, wherein the computer program includes instructions for transmitting an energy request signal to the wireless relay controller.

22. The wireless lighting control system of claim 12, wherein the computer program includes instructions for transmitting an operational check signal to the wireless relay controller.

23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for controlling a wireless lighting control system, the wireless lighting control system having a wireless relay controller configured for connection between a power source and a light source, a wireless controller node configured to generate a command and exchange it over a wireless network, a wireless occupancy sensor node configured to generate a command and exchange it over a wireless network, and a wireless light level sensor node configured to generate a command and exchange it over a wireless network, the computer-executable instructions, comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to communicate over a wireless network to interface with the wireless relay controller, the wireless controller node, the wireless occupancy sensor node, and the wireless light level sensor node; and

instructions for causing the computer to generate signals and to communicate the signals between the computer and the wireless network.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the computer-executable instructions include instructions for operation in one of a message interrupt mode and a timer interrupt mode.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the computer-executable instructions include instructions for transmitting an on/off command to the wireless relay controller.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions for transmitting an on/off command to the wireless relay controller are sent in response to the command generated by the wireless controller node.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions for transmitting an on/off command to the wireless relay controller are sent in response to the command generated by the wireless occupancy sensor node.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions for transmitting an on/off command to the wireless relay controller are sent in response to the command generated by the wireless light level sensor node.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the computer-executable instructions include instructions for transmitting an energy request signal to the wireless relay controller.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the computer-executable instructions include instructions for transmitting an operational check signal to the wireless relay controller.