Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing variable illumination
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling at least one dimmable lighting fixture by varying a variable output power provided to the at least one dimmable lighting fixture, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one sensor to generate at least one sensor signal representative of a change in an environment illuminated by the at least one dimmable lighting fixture;
an alternating current (AC) power input to receive AC electrical power;
a switchable power supply, operably coupled to the AC power input, to generate the variable output power;
a power measurement circuit, operably coupled to the AC power input, to monitor electrical power consumption of the at least one dimmable lighting fixture;
a processor, operably coupled to the at least one sensor and the switchable power supply, to generate at least one digital control signal based on the electrical power consumption and the at least one sensor signal and to control the variable output power generated by the switchable power supply; and
at least one interface, operably coupled to the processor, to send and receive information related to the operation of the at least one dimmable lighting fixture and to provide the variable output power to the at least one dimmable lighting fixture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Digital Control Ready (DCR) is a two-way open standard for controlling and managing next-generation fixtures. A DCR-enabled lighting fixture responds to digital control signals from a separate digital light agent (DLA) instead of analog dimming signals, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog signal conditioning, fixture-to-fixture variations in response, and calibration specific to each fixture. In addition, a DCR-enabled lighting fixture may also report its power consumption, measured light output, measured color temperature, temperature, and/or other operating parameters to the DLA via the same bidirectional data link that carries the digital control signals to the fixture. The DLA processes these signals in a feedback loop to implement more precise lighting control. The DCR-enabled lighting fixture also transforms AC power to DC power and supplies (and measures) DC power to the DLA via a DCR interface. These features enable intelligent, networked DCR lighting systems operate with lower power (energy) consumption, greater flexibility, and simpler installation than other intelligent lighting networks.
683 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling at least one dimmable lighting fixture by varying a variable output power provided to the at least one dimmable lighting fixture, the apparatus comprising:
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at least one sensor to generate at least one sensor signal representative of a change in an environment illuminated by the at least one dimmable lighting fixture; an alternating current (AC) power input to receive AC electrical power; a switchable power supply, operably coupled to the AC power input, to generate the variable output power; a power measurement circuit, operably coupled to the AC power input, to monitor electrical power consumption of the at least one dimmable lighting fixture; a processor, operably coupled to the at least one sensor and the switchable power supply, to generate at least one digital control signal based on the electrical power consumption and the at least one sensor signal and to control the variable output power generated by the switchable power supply; and at least one interface, operably coupled to the processor, to send and receive information related to the operation of the at least one dimmable lighting fixture and to provide the variable output power to the at least one dimmable lighting fixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of controlling at least one dimmable lighting fixture by varying a variable output power provided to the at least one dimmable lighting fixture, the method comprising:
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receiving, via an alternating current (AC) power input, AC electrical power; generating, via at least one sensor, at least one sensor signal representative of a change in an environment illuminated by the at least one dimmable lighting fixture; monitoring, via a power measurement circuit, electrical power consumption of the at least one dimmable lighting fixture; generating, via a processor, at least one digital control signal based on the electrical power consumption and the at least one sensor signal; generating, via a switchable power supply, the variable output power to power the at least one dimmable lighting fixture; controlling via the processor, the variable output power generated by the switchable power supply; transmitting, via at least one interface, information related to the operation of the at least one dimmable lighting fixture to the at least one dimmable lighting fixture; and providing, via the at least one interface, the variable output power to the at least one dimmable lighting fixture. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification