Patent ID: 6731079
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A lighting control system for controlling a plurality of lamps comprising:at least one central controller in electronic communication with a plurality of modules for controlling power to respective one of said lamps, each said module comprising: a means for receiving electronic communications from said central controller; a current sensor; a current controller for controlling current in a power circuit passing through said module, said current controller operating to open and close said power circuit; control unit connected to said current controller and said means for receiving electronic communications, said control unit operating to cause said current controller to open and close said power circuit in response to said communications; an indicator connected to said control unit; timer for counting hours-of-operation of the lamp, said timer including means for resetting the timer when said lamp is replaced with a new lamp; wherein said control unit causes said indicator to illuminate in response to said timer having counted a selected number of said hours-of-operation, for indicating that the lamp is due to be replaced; wherein said central controller is operable to uniquely identify and communicate with individual ones of said modules; and wherein said central controller operates to prevent a selected number of said lamps from being simultaneously turned on by delaying turning on selected ones of said lamps by delaying instructions to corresponding modules.