Patent Publication Number: US-9426868-B2

Title: Commissioning LED (light emitting diode) lighting system and method of assembling same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to lighting systems, and in particular, to commissioning LED lighting systems and methods of assembling same. 
     EIA estimates that in 2011, about 461 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity were used for lighting by the residential and commercial sectors. Lighting costs society billions of dollars every year to produce electricity. Large energy production increases the use of fossil fuels and pollution from CO 2  emissions, and places a burden on the public sector to provide extended sources of energy production. 
     Florescent lighting has been used to reduce energy use. Florescent lighting requires heavy ballasts and expensive tubes in order to provide the cost savings from reduced energy use. In new construction, each light fixture requires electricians to drop an alternating current (AC) line for each light fixture thereby increasing the cost of installation. In many instances these lighting systems are controlled by motion sensors and crude timers which interrupt work during off hours. In many circumstances, these systems are overridden in order to continue activity which reduces the effectiveness of the system to save energy. Therefore, there is a need for power saving lighting systems which may be economically installed by laymen. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a lighting system. 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a. 
     The following detailed description and accompanying drawings provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1  illustrates a lighting system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 2  illustrates a portion of a lighting system according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 3  illustrates a lighting system according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 4  illustrates a method of installing a lighting system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 5  illustrates a method of commissioning a lighting system according another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described herein are techniques for commissioning lighting systems and method of assembling same. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention as defined by the claims may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein. 
       FIGS. 1  illustrates a lighting system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. Lighting system  100  includes a plurality of LED lighting elements  115 - 123  and a plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices  102 - 105 . Alternating current (AC) source  101  provided power to RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices  102 - 105 . RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices  102  and  104  may require individual AC line drops  137 - 138  in order fulfill the power requirement. Alternately, RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices  103  and  105  may have less lighting elements (e.g. LED lighting elements  118 ,  122 - 123 ) and may therefore be able to share the same AC line  139 - 140 . 
     Plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices  102 - 105  are coupled to provide power to the plurality of LED lighting elements  115 - 123  through Ethernet cables  124 - 132 . Ethernet cables  124 - 132  may be coupled to fixtures  106 - 114  in order to power LED lighting elements  115 - 123 , respectively. Plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices  102 - 105  may set DC currents on their output channels. No Ethernet data signals may pass to or from these devices. 
     Each power driver device of the plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices  102 - 105  has an associated RF module (e.g. RF modules  133 - 136 ) which enables the plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices  102 - 105  to form a network. Each power driver device of the plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices may use integrated firmware to form the network. The network may be an entirely wireless network such as a mesh network. With the network each Ethernet power driver device (e.g. RF enabled Ethernet power driver device  102 ) may be selectively programmed to control corresponding LED lighting elements (e.g. LED lighting element  115 - 117 ). 
     Each RF enabled Ethernet driver device (e.g. RF enable Ethernet driver device  103 ) may drive each channel of an associated Ethernet cable (e.g. Ethernet cable  128 ) to drive as many as four LED lighting elements (e.g. LED lighting elements  119 ). For example, lighting fixture  110  may fan out each pair of the Ethernet connection to a single LED lighting element of LED lighting elements  119 . 
     Lighting system  100  may further comprise a plurality of RF enabled sensor modules  142 - 143  which form additional nodes in the network, wherein each RF enabled sensor modules (e.g. RF enabled sensor modules  144 - 145 ) provides information regarding its proximate physical zone. For example, RF enabled sensor module  144  may relay information to RF enabled Ethernet driver devices  102 ,  104 , and  105  via the network. However, RF enabled sensor module  145  may be located in an enclosed area  141  such that RF enabled sensor module  143  relays information to RF enable Ethernet driver device  103  via the network. 
     The plurality of RF enable sensor modules  142 - 143  may relay a wide variety of information regarding the proximate location. For example RF enabled sensor module  142  may relay light intensity information, and RF enabled sensor module  143  may relay light intensity information as well as information regarding physical human activity. In this example, RF enabled sensor module  143  may have more than one sensor in order to operate. 
       FIGS. 2  illustrates a portion of a lighting system  200  according to another embodiment of the invention. Portion  200  includes RF enabled Ethernet driver device  201  coupled to provide power to lighting fixtures  202 - 204 . Lighting fixtures  202 - 204  each have a set of LED lighting elements  215 - 217 . RF enabled Ethernet driver device  201  receives power through AC line  214 . RF enabled Ethernet driver device  201  includes drivers  210 - 213 , power converter  208 , RF transceiver  209 , and firmware  214 . 
     Drivers  210 - 213  may provide variable power to LED lighting elements  215 - 216 . The variable power may be controlled via commands sent to RF transceiver  209 . In one embodiment, RF transceiver receives information regarding light intensity or human activity and firmware  214  determines the amount to drive particular channels to change the light intensity. The individual channels may be related to a predetermined configuration related to a commissioning of RF enabled Ethernet driver device  201 . Firmware  214  may have memory to store the configuration. 
       FIGS. 3  illustrates a lighting system  300  according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Lighting system  300  includes RF enabled driver devices  302 - 303 , LED lighting fixtures  308 - 310 , Ethernet cables  304 - 307 , and RF enabled sensor modules  311 - 312 . Lighting system  300  may be a commissioning system which allows the network of RF enabled devices to be configured. Computer  313  coupled to the internet via Ethernet cable  314  may also be part of lighting system  300 . 
     RF enabled driver devices  302 - 303  are coupled to receive power from AC line  301 . RF enabled driver device  302  is coupled to provide power to LED lighting elements within LED lighting fixtures  308 - 310 . RF enabled driver device  303  is coupled to provide power to the other LED lighting elements within LED lighting fixtures  310 . In this embodiment distribution and wiring of the Ethernet connections need not be orchestrated. For example, lighting fixture  310  is a different from light fixture  308 - 309  and receives two Ethernet cables and these cables may not need to come from the same RF enabled Ethernet driver device. Maybe LED lighting fixture is a long fixture extending into the  FIG. 3  (i.e. not fully shown) and requiring more power. 
     RF enabled sensor module  311  may be coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) port on computer  313 . This connection may serve solely to provide power to RF enabled sensor module  311  or may interface to computer  313  to provide remote control via the internet. Computer  313  may provide stored mapping and configurations associated with the network of RF enabled devices (e.g. RF enabled Ethernet drivers  302 - 303  and RF enabled sensor modules  311 - 312 ). 
     RF enabled sensor module  311  may have dual light sensors which sense light intensity from directions  317 - 318 . Light intensity from direction  317  may be configured to a greater level than light intensity from direction  318  to provide sufficient light to the top of desk  321  and reduce light glare on a screen of computer  313 . In this configuration, RF enabled sensor module may feedback light intensity information to RF enabled Ethernet driver module  302  to make the light from light fixture  308  brighter than the light from light fixture  309 . The LED light elements within light fixture  309  may be simply dimmed or turned off according to this light intensity information and firmware associated with RF enabled Ethernet driver device  302 . 
     In one embodiment, RF enabled sensor module  311  may receive Bluetooth signals from keyboard  315  which indicate a level of human activity which the system senses and may interpret to sustain the lighting in Room A. In another embodiment, RF enabled sensor module  311  may receive information regarding human activity via the USB port. In yet another embodiment, a sensor within an RF enabled sensor module (not shown) may receive information regarding a human sitting in a seat (not shown) and relay that information to RF enabled Ethernet driver device  302  to keep the LED lighting elements associated with Room A energized. 
     In one embodiment, RF enabled sensor module  311  may have a delay associated with sending a change in information. For example, door  316  may be suddenly opened effecting light sensed from direction  318 . A light change may be delayed to prevent light control from being sporadically changed. If door  316  is left open light intensity from fixtures  308 - 309  may be adjusted. In another embodiment, that adjustment may be changed over more than one second to give a gradual change in configuration. 
     Room B may be a hallway with external sunlight  320  coming in through a window (not shown). In one embodiment, RF enabled sensor module  312  may relay light intensity information to RF enabled Ethernet driver devices  302 - 303  to decrease drive sent to LED lighting fixture  310  in order to maintain minimal safe light and thereby save energy. In another embodiment RF enabled sensor module  312  may have a motion sensor which when no motion is sensed for more than  10  minutes, RF enabled Ethernet drivers  302 - 303  may turn off the light provided by light fixture  310  or maybe simply dim the intensity to save energy. In yet another embodiment, a hallway or other location may have a plurality of RF enabled sensor modules which relay information to RF enabled Ethernet driver modules (not shown) This information may be used as history which may anticipate a person&#39;s path and in response illuminate that path. The history may be real time or may find patterns over time. 
     In another embodiment, software enabled by RF enabled computer  313  may potentially commission each channel of each RF enabled Ethernet power drivers  302 - 303  to a corresponding set of sensors. In yet another embodiment, the commissioning includes sensor feedback routines which examine which sensors respond to which LED lighting elements of lighting fixtures  308 - 310 . 
     In one embodiment, the RF enabled computeris a portable device (not shown) and the software includes routines to commission each channel by registering a configuration of proximate RF enabled devices of the network and allowing a user to validate and/or alter the configuration. 
       FIGS. 4  illustrates a method  400  of installing a lighting system according to one embodiment of the invention. The method includes securing, coupling, forming a network, and selectively programming. 
     At  401 , secure a plurality of LED lighting elements. There lighting elements may be fixed within a number of lighting fixtures. Each fixture may have one or more Ethernet connectors. 
     At  402 , secure said plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices. The devices may be secured in a matrix such that the coupling to AC power is done above the ceiling and with a minimum number of AC lines. 
     At  403 , couple a plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices to alternating current (AC) power. The coupling may require an AC line for one or more RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices. These RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices may be situated above a drop ceiling. The coupling may be done when other AC lines are being run by an electrician. 
     At  404 , couple the plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices, through Ethernet cables, to the plurality of LED lighting elements. The coupling may be accomplished by proximity without regard to which cables are connected to which lighting fixtures. A commissioning of the lighting system may take care of configuring the particular channels of the RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices and as well as the sensors of the RF enabled sensors. 
     At  405 , install a plurality of RF enabled sensor modules. Each RF enabled sensor module provides information regarding its proximate physical zone. In one embodiment, the RF enabled sensor modules include multiple sensors. These multiple sensors may be more than one intensity sensor, a motion sensor, or pressure sensors. A sensor that senses someone sitting in a chair may be used. 
     At  406 , Form a network of the RF enabled devices. The network may use firmware integrated into each power driver device of the plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices. The firmware may have memory to store the assignment and identification of each channel of drivers. Firmware may also be used in the RF enabled sensor modules. 
     At  407 , selectively program, through the network, each RF enabled Ethernet power driver device to control the corresponding LED lighting elements of the plurality of LED lighting elements. In one embodiment each channel of each driver bank associated with each Ethernet cable may be individually programmed. 
     At  408 , potentially commission each channel of each RF enabled Ethernet power driver device to a corresponding set of sensors of the plurality of RF enabled sensor modules. The commissioning may use software enabled by an RF enabled computer. The commissioning may include examining which sensors of the plurality of RF enabled sensor modules respond to which LED lighting elements of the plurality of LED lighting elements using sensor feedback routines. The commissioning may include registering a configuration of proximate RF enabled devices of the network to configure each channel. The commissioning may include selectively validating and/or altering the configuration by a user. wherein The RF enabled computer may be a portable device used for the registering and the selectively validating and/or altering. 
     In one embodiment, the securing may include orchestrate Ethernet ports of said plurality of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices accessible below said ceiling thereby reducing the labor needed to install said lighting system. 
       FIGS. 5  illustrates a method  500  of commissioning a lighting system according another embodiment of the invention. The method includes discovering a default configuration, mapping, and examining 
     At  501 , discover a default configuration of RF enabled devices of the lighting system by polling proximate RF enabled devices. The RF enabled devices form a wireless network. The network may be a mesh network. Zigby devices are used in such networks. 
     At  502 , map the RF enabled devices in response to the discovering. The means of relaying information lends itself to mapping out the relative locations of the RF enabled devices in the network. 
     At  503 , examine LED lighting elements of the lighting system in response to the mapping. Each LED lighting element is associated with at least two RF enabled devices. In one embodiment a single LED lighting element may be energized and RF enabled sensor modules may be polled to see which light intensity sensors responded to the stimuli. This information may be used to more accurately determine which lights and sensors are proximate and which are located in which rooms. 
     In one embodiment, the discovering of the configuration includes determining if an RF enabled device is an Ethernet driver or a sensor module. In another embodiment, the discovering of the configuration includes determining the configuration of Ethernet driver ports of RF enabled Ethernet power driver devices. Some RF enabled Ethernet driver devices have differing number of driver ports. 
     The examining may include testing each Ethernet driver channel against probable RF enabled sensors to determine stimulus information feedback through said wireless network and thereby determine correspondence between each Ethernet driver channel and a set of RF enabled sensors. 
     At  504 , reconfigure the default configuration based on the examining. The reconfiguring includes associating RF enabled devices into groups. In one embodiment, the reconfiguring includes validating and/or altering said default configuration with a RF enabled portable device made proximate to a set of said RF enabled devices being reconfigured. 
     The above description illustrates various embodiments of the present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The above examples and embodiments should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention. Based on the above disclosure, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalents will be evident to those skilled in the art and may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.