Patent Publication Number: US-2010109577-A1

Title: Cascading addressable mastering protocol-based lighting system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In the area of lighting control for any system of remote control one of the largest problems has been how to provide master or overall controls for individual fixtures or groups of fixtures. To go to a subordinate (sub) master or a grand master control where you take control of other controllers, has always been a significant problem. 
     The most common method of remotely controlling fixtures is to use relays or dimmers for individual fixtures and then remote control them with low voltage wires to switches and control panels. This practice is still being done today. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic, high-level block diagram of a lighting system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic high-level block diagram of a control signal according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a set of exemplary control signals according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic high-level block diagram of a control signal according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic high-level functional block diagram of a computer system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic high-level functional block diagram of a controller-based system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a high-level functional flow diagram of a control determination method usable in conjunction with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic high-level functional block diagram of a lighting system according to another embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a high-level functional block diagram of a portion of an exemplary lighting control system according to an embodiment deployed in a building. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more embodiments according to the present invention differ from prior known lighting control systems of which the inventor is aware. One or more of the embodiments comprise an architectural design having a form and functions built into the protocol even before any fixtures are assigned to the system. 
     A lighting control system according to an embodiment is referred to as a cascading addressable mastering protocol-based (CAMP-based) lighting control system (also referred to as a CAMP lighting system).  FIG. 1  depicts a schematic, high-level block diagram of a CAMP-based lighting system  100  according to an embodiment which includes a CAMP-based lighting control system  102  to which is communicably and controllably coupled a light fixture set  104  comprising one or more individual light fixtures  106 . 
     The communicable coupling between lighting control system  102  and light fixtures  106  may comprise wired and/or wireless connections. 
     One or more of individual light fixtures  106  comprises one or more of a luminaire, a light source or lamp, and may additionally comprise a ballast or power source/power source connection. In at least some embodiments, light fixture  106  may be positioned external and/or internal to a structure such as a building, fixed, surface-mounted, recessed, or other mounting or placement. In at least some embodiments, light fixture  106  may be a fuel lamp, an arc lamp, an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a gas discharge or high-intensity discharge lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a cold cathode lamp, a fiber optic lamp, an induction lamp, a light-emitting diode or other solid state-based lamp, or a self-powered lamp which is communicably controllable or electrically controllable by lighting control system  102 . In response to receipt of a control signal from lighting control system  102 , light fixture  106  activates and generates illumination. In at least some embodiments, light fixture  106  activates and generates illumination responsive to receipt of power from lighting control system  102 . 
     In at least some embodiments, the light fixtures  106  in the light fixture set  104  may be individually connected with lighting control system  102 . In at least some embodiments, two or more light fixtures  106  in the light fixture set  104  may be jointly connected with lighting control system  102 . 
     In at least some embodiments, a light fixture  106  or light fixture set  104  is understood to include one or more light fixtures to be controlled together. 
     CAMP-based lighting control system  102  comprises one or more controllers for controlling operation of the light fixtures. In at least some embodiments, the controllers generate and transmit control signals to one or more light fixtures based on user-provided commands, commands received from other devices such as light sensors, timers, etc., or commands received from execution of a computer program on the controller or another device. The controllers comprise a subordinate (sub) master control set  108  (comprising one or more sub master controls  114 ) communicably coupled with an area master control set  110  (comprising one or more area master controls  116 ) which, in turn, is communicably coupled with a grand (or overall) master control  112 . 
     Each light fixture  106  comprises a component identifier  120 , e.g., stored in memory. In at least one embodiment, each light fixture  106  is connected with and/or integrated with a ballast comprising a controller or processor-controlled ballast or a switch comprising a controller or processor-controlled switch, e.g., a SwitchGenie ballast or a SwitchGenie Primary switch available from Link Corporation of Stacy, Minn. In at least some embodiments, each ballast controls individual lamps of a light fixture  106  and is configured to turn on and off individual lamps of the light fixture. In at least some embodiments, a switch controlling more than one ballast is configured to turn on or off each ballast and/or all ballasts in a fixture one at a time. In such an embodiment, the switch can control T5 ballasts, compact fluorescent ballasts, metal halide ballasts, light emitting diode ballasts, and magnetic ballasts. In at least some embodiments, one or more light fixtures  106  comprises a switch or ballast comprising a controller-based system  600  ( FIG. 6 ) controlling at least the illumination level of the light fixture. 
     In at least some embodiments, the switch controls more than one level of illumination per a light fixture  106 . In at least some embodiments, an energy saving feature of the switch comprises a default setting to only turn on one lamp or ballast in a light fixture  106  such that an increased power savings results. 
     In at least some embodiments, component identifier  120  comprises a numeric and/or an alphanumeric sequence of digits. In at least some other embodiments, component identifier  120  comprises additional and/or different sequences of digits. 
     In at least one embodiment, each of the components comprising lighting control system  102  comprises a component identifier  120 . In at least some embodiments, each component identifier stored in a light fixture  106  or other component, e.g., a sub master control  114 , an area master control  116 , and a grand master control  112 , is a unique identifier. 
     In at least one embodiment, each light fixture  106  comprises a component identifier  120 . In accordance with such an embodiment, the remaining components other than the light fixtures need not include a component identifier. 
     In at least some embodiments, each component identifier  120  is preset and not changeable by a user or another device. In at least some other embodiments, each component identifier  120  is changeable by a user or another device. In at least some embodiments, the component identifier  120  is a serial number of the component in which the identifier is stored. 
     In at least some embodiments, lighting fixtures  106  have a corresponding logical name in addition to the component identifier  120 . In at least some embodiments, the logical name is stored at the lighting fixture, e.g., in a local memory storage. In at least some embodiments, each lighting fixture  106  has a corresponding logical name. In at least some embodiments, the logical name is user-assignable and modifiable. In at least some embodiments, each component of lighting control system  102  has a corresponding logical name which is user-assignable and modifiable. 
     In at least some embodiments, the corresponding logical name(s) are assigned and stored at a computer system external to, but in communication with, one or more of the lighting control system  102  or one or more of light fixtures  106 . 
     Sub master control set  108  comprises one or more individual sub master controls  114 . In turn, each sub master control  114  is communicably coupled with one or more light fixture  106  and/or one or more light fixture sets  104 . Sub master control  114  comprises a component identifier  120 . Sub master control  114  controls one or more of light fixtures  106  and/or one or more light fixture sets  104  to set an illumination level of the light source connected thereto. In at least some embodiments, sub master control  114  transmits a light control signal comprising light control information to a light fixture  106  or light fixture set  104  to set the illumination level. In at least some embodiments, the light control signal comprises unique light fixture identifying information, e.g., a component identifier  120  of the light fixture. In at least some embodiments, the light control signal comprises light fixture identifying information which applies to more than one light fixture, e.g., an identifier which applies to more than one light fixture  106 . In at least some embodiments, different levels of illumination or light output are controlled by a sub master control  114  including illumination level specifying information in the light control signal. In at least some embodiments, sub master controls  114  do not have a component identifier  120 . 
     Area master control set  110  comprises one or more individual area master controls  116 . In turn, each area master control  116  is communicably coupled with one or more sub master controls  114  of sub master control set  108 . Area master control  116  controls one or more of sub master controls  114  to cause the sub master control to control one or more of light fixtures  106  and/or one or more light fixture sets  104 . In at least some embodiments, area master control  116  transmits a light control signal to light fixtures and other lower level controllers, i.e., sub master controls. 
     In at least some embodiments, area master control  116  transmits a sub master control signal, i.e., a light control signal generated and transmitted from the area master control  116 , comprising sub master control information to a sub master control  114  for transmission to light fixture  106  or light fixture set  104  to set an illumination level. In at least some embodiments, the sub master control signal comprises unique sub master identifying information, e.g., a component identifier  120  of the sub master control  114 . In at least some embodiments, the sub master control signal comprises unique light fixture identifying information, e.g., a component identifier  120  of a specific light fixture  106 . In at least some embodiments, the sub master control signal comprises unique sub master identifying information and unique light fixture identifying information. In at least some embodiments, the sub master control signal comprises sub master control identifying information which applies to more than one sub master control, e.g., an identifier which applies to more than sub master control  114 . In at least some embodiments, different levels of illumination or light output are controlled by an area master control  116  including illumination level specifying information in the sub master control signal. In at least some embodiments, area master controls  114  do not have a component identifier  120 . 
     Grand master control  112  is a singular control node for controlling each element of each level cascaded below the grand master control, e.g., area master controls  116 , sub master controls  114 , and/or light fixtures  106 . The grand master control  112  is communicably coupled with each of the area master controls  116  in area master control set  110 . Grand master control  112  controls one or more of area master controls  116  to cause the area master control to control one or more of sub master controls  114  and therein control one or more of light fixtures  106  and/or one or more light fixture sets  104 . In at least some embodiments, grand master control  112  transmits a light control signal to light fixtures and other lower level controllers, i.e., area master controls and sub master controls. Grand master control  112  comprises a component identifier  120 . In at least some embodiments, grand master control  112  lacks a component identifier  120 . 
     In at least some embodiments, grand master control  112  transmits an area master control signal, i.e., a light control signal generated and transmitted from the grand master control  112 , comprising area master control information to an area master control  116 . In at least some embodiments, the area master control signal comprises unique area master identifying information, unique sub master identifying information, and/or unique light fixture and/or light fixture set identifying information or a combination thereof, e.g., one or more component identifiers  120  of the appropriate components. In at least some embodiments, the area master control signal comprises area master control identifying information which applies to more than one area master control, e.g., an identifier which applies to more than one component. In at least some embodiments, different levels of illumination or light output controlled by the grand master control  112  including illumination level specifying information in the area master control signal. 
     In at least some embodiments, one or both of area master controls  116  or sub master controls  114  are not present in a lighting control system. In accordance with this particular embodiment, grand master control  112  is communicably coupled with light fixtures  106  and controls light fixtures  106  as described above for sub master controls  114 . In at least some other embodiments, lighting control system  102  comprises more intermediate levels of controls between grand master control  112  and light fixtures  106 , e.g., additional levels of controls similar to area master control  116  and/or sub master control  114  are communicably coupled between the components of lighting control system  102 . 
     In at least some embodiments, lighting control system  102  comprises greater or fewer number of controller levels, e.g., additional levels beyond sub master control set  108 , area master control set  110 . For example, a particular lighting control system may comprise zone controllers, floor controllers, etc. 
     In at least some embodiments, one or more of sub master controls  114 , area master controls  116 , and/or grand master control  112  are virtual devices comprising one or more software executable objects stored and executed by a computer system in communication with, or as a part of, lighting control system  102 . In at least some other embodiments, one or more of sub master controls  114 , area master controls  116 , and/or grand master control  112  are physical switches, keyed in addresses on computers, wireless devices, or sensors having keyed addresses stored therein or similar devices. 
     In at least some embodiments, one or more of sub master controls  114 , area master controls  116 , and/or grand master control  112  are wired and/or wirelessly connected. 
     In at least some embodiments, component identifiers  120  are only assigned to light fixtures  106 . 
     In at least one embodiment, an individual light fixture  106  is communicably coupled with more than one sub master control  114 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a schematic, high-level block diagram of a CAMP-based lighting system  800  according to another embodiment which includes a simplified CAMP-based lighting control system  802  to which is communicably and controllably coupled the light fixture set  104  comprising one or more individual light fixtures  106 . Lighting control system  802  comprises a grand master controller  804  communicably coupled with the lighting fixtures  106 . In accordance with the simplified lighting control system  802 , the grand master control  804  directly controls the light fixtures  106  connected to the control. In at least some embodiments, grand master control  804  responds to received commands from a user manipulating the control. In at least some other embodiments, the grand master control  804  responds to received commands from a computer system external to, but communicably coupled with, the lighting control system  802 . 
     In at least one embodiment, a basic design of the lighting control system  102  is a pyramid having grand master control  112  at the top of the pyramid. Continuing down from the top of the pyramid, each level downward provides another opportunity to have mastering capability over the components in the levels below. In at least some embodiments, the cascading control hierarchy is fixed based on the assignment of component identifiers to light fixtures or groups of fixtures and automatically incorporates the availability of master controls, e.g., sub master controls, area master controls, etc., to the lighting control system without requiring software or hardware adjustments. In at least these embodiments, the control hierarchy comprising the master controls is available for use by one or more master controls connected with the lighting system at a level above the light fixture sets  104  or light fixtures  106 . 
     In at least some embodiments, lighting control system  102  is extended to comprise the light fixture set  104  and thus the bottom of the pyramid comprises the lights and/or light fixtures to be controlled. In at least some embodiments, the bottom level may comprise individual light fixtures  106  or groups of lighting fixtures, e.g. light fixture set  104 , comprising a plurality of light fixtures in the group. In at least some embodiments, a light fixture group may comprise twenty (20) or more light fixtures in a group. 
     Lighting control system  102  comprises a cascaded sequence of levels of control, i.e., grand master control  112 , area master control set  110 , and sub master control set  108 . Grand master control  112  controls one or more of area master controls  116  in area master control set  110 . An area master control  116  controls one or more of sub master controls  114  in sub master control set  108 . A sub master control  114  controls one or more of light fixtures  106  in light fixture set  104 . 
     In at least some embodiments, the size of the installation location in which lighting control system  102  and light fixtures  106  are installed along with the number of controls, e.g., groupings of light fixtures, sub master controls, area master controls, etc., is a basis for the determination of the control scheme used in the cascading control system. For example, depending on the number of control groupings more or less digits may be used to form the component identifier  120 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a schematic high-level diagram of a light control signal  200 , e.g., as transmitted from a sub master control  114  to a light fixture  106 , from an area master control  116  to a sub master control  114 , or from a grand master control  112  to an area master control  116 . Light control signal  200  comprises a controlled component identifier  202  identifying the particular component and/or components to be controlled by the light control signal. By selecting an appropriate value for the controlled component identifier  202  one or more components are controlled. In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, light control signal  200  causes an activation/deactivation, i.e., turning on or off, of a particular identified component. 
     Controlled component identifier  202  identifies either a particular component through the specification of the component identifier of the component to be controlled or a range of components through the specification of a value within which one or more components component identifiers are determined to exist. 
     In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, components having component identifier values ending in zero (0) control components having successive component identifier values in sequence until the next value ending in zero (0). Additionally according to this embodiment, components having component identifier values ending in double zero (00) control components having successive component identifier values in sequence until the next value ending in double zero (00). The scheme continues such that components having component identifier values ending in triple zero (000) control components having successive component identifier values in sequence until the next value ending in triple zero (000). The scheme continues in accordance with this sequence. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, components at a level above the light fixtures are not assigned component identifiers instead the components generate a light control signal (described in further detail below) in accordance with the above-described numbering scheme. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary set of light control signals  200  transmitted via grand master control  112  in lighting control system  102 . A first light control signal  300  comprises a controlled component identifier value of “111” which corresponds to a control signal indicating control of an individual light fixture having a component identifier  120  having a value of “111”. A second light control signal  302  comprises a controlled component identifier value of “110” which corresponds to a control signal indicating control of a set of individual light fixtures having component identifier values within the range of “111” through “119”. A third light control signal  304  comprises a controlled component identifier value of “100” which corresponds to a control signal indicating control of a set of sub master controls having component identifier values within the range of “101” and “199”, i.e., sub master controls having component identifier values “110”, “120”, “130”, “140”, “150”, “160”, “170”, “180”, “190”, and a set of light fixtures having component identifier values within the same range, i.e., light fixtures having component identifier values “101-109”, “111-119”, “121-129”, “131-139”, “141-149”, “151-159”, “161-169”, “171-179”, “181-189”, and “191-199”. 
     In at least some embodiments, light control signal  200  comprises the digits needed to specify the components to be controlled. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a schematic high-level diagram of a control signal  400  according to another embodiment in which the control signal comprises an illumination level  402  at which the component identified by the controlled component identifier  202  is to be set. In at least some embodiments, illumination level  402  comprises a value indicative of at least an on or off setting. In at least some other embodiments, illumination level  402  comprises a value indicative of two or more illumination levels. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a high-level functional block diagram of a computer system  500  usable in conjunction with an embodiment. Computer system  500  comprises a processor  502  (alternatively referred to as a processing or controller-based device), a memory  506 , a network interface (I/F)  508 , and an input/output device  504  communicatively coupled via a bus  510  or other interconnection communication mechanism. 
     Memory  506  (also referred to as a computer-readable medium) may comprise a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus  510  for storing data and/or instructions to be executed by processor  502 . Memory  506  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor  502 . Memory  506  may also comprise a read only memory (ROM) or other static storage device coupled to the bus  510  for storing static information and instructions for the processor  502 . 
     In at least some embodiments, memory  506  also stores a copy of the component identifier for each component controller and a user-readable name and/or number corresponding to the component identifier value. In at least some embodiments, the user-readable name and/or number may be user-assignable. 
     Network I/F  508  comprises a mechanism for connecting to a network and/or lighting control system  102 . In at least some embodiments, computer system  102  comprises more than a single network interface. In at least some embodiments, network I/F  508  may comprise a wired and/or wireless connection mechanism. In at least some embodiments, computer system  500  connects with lighting control system  102  via bus  510  and/or I/O  504 . 
     A storage device, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or electromagnetic disk, may also be provided and coupled to the bus  510  for storing data and/or instructions. 
     Lamp control/CAMP system  512  comprises a set of executable instructions which, when executed by processor  502 , cause the processor to provide lamp control system and/or a CAMP lighting control system according to an embodiment. In at least some embodiments, lamp control/CAMP system  512  execution by processor  502  causes the display of a user interface to a user of computer system  500  either via I/O device  504  or network I/F  508 . 
     I/O device  504  may comprise an input device, an output device and/or a combined input/output device for enabling user interaction. An input device may comprise, for example, a keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, trackpad, and/or cursor direction keys for communicating information and commands to processor  502 . An output device may comprise, for example, a display, a printer, a voice synthesizer, etc. for communicating information to a user. In at least some embodiments, I/O device  504  may comprise a serial and/or parallel connection mechanism for enabling the transfer of one or more of files and/or commands. In at least some embodiments, I/O device  504  is an optional component of computer system  500 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a schematic high-level functional block diagram of a controller-based system  600  usable in conjunction with an embodiment of one or more controls of lighting control system  102 , i.e., grand master control  112 , area master control  116 , and/or sub master control  114 , or a control as part of a light fixture  106 . Controller-based system  600  comprises a controller  602  (alternatively referred to as a processor or processing device), a memory  606 , a network interface (I/F)  608 , and an input/output device  604  communicatively coupled via a bus  610  or other interconnection communication mechanism. 
     Memory  606  (also referred to as a computer-readable medium) may comprise a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus  610  for storing data and/or instructions to be executed by controller  602 . Memory  606  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by controller  602 . Memory  606  may also comprise a read only memory (ROM) or other static storage device coupled to the bus  610  for storing static information and instructions for the controller  602 . Memory stores component identifier  120  and a set of executable instructions comprising component control  612 . 
     Component control  612  comprises a set of instructions which, when executed by controller  602  cause the controller to operate in response to receipt of one or more commands received, for example, via network I/F  608  or I/O device  604 . In at least one embodiment, component control  612  operates responsive to receipt of a light control signal such as control signal  200  or control signal  400 . In at least some embodiments, memory  606  also stores an illumination level of a light fixture to which controller  600  is connected. 
     Network I/F  608  comprises a mechanism for connecting to a network and/or lighting control system  102 . In at least some embodiments, computer system  102  comprises more than a single network interface. In at least some embodiments, network I/F  608  may comprise a wired and/or wireless connection mechanism. In at least some embodiments, computer system  600  connects with lighting control system  102  via bus  610  and/or I/O  604 . In at least some embodiments, network I/F  608  may be connected to a packet-based interconnected network of devices such as an internet or the worldwide packet-switched network known as the Internet. In at least one embodiment, a computer system such as computer system  500  ( FIG. 5 ) may be connected via a network to a controller-based system  600  to control operation of lighting system  102 . 
     A storage device, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or electromagnetic disk, may also be provided and coupled to the bus  610  for storing data and/or instructions. 
     I/O device  604  may comprise an input device, an output device and/or a combined input/output device for enabling user interaction. In at least some embodiments, I/O device  604  comprises a connection with light fixture  106 . An input device may comprise, for example, a keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball, trackpad, and/or cursor direction keys for communicating information and commands to controller  602 . An output device may comprise, for example, a display, a printer, a voice synthesizer, etc. for communicating information to a user. In at least some embodiments, I/O device  604  may comprise a serial and/or parallel connection mechanism for enabling the transfer of one or more of files and/or commands. In at least some embodiments, I/O device  604  is an optional component of controller-based system  600 . 
     In previous systems of which the inventor is aware, the mastering control of the individual fixtures is accomplished by using diodes and wires going to switches to control the groups of lights. 
     With the low voltage relays that are often industry standard, computers are used to do time clock control, motion sensing and daylight harvesting but all of this requires control wires from the devices to the master control panel. 
     In at least some embodiments, the present lighting control system  102  is embedded in the switch or ballast controlling components, e.g., SwitchGenie products. In at least some embodiments, the system works with dedicated low voltage control wire that utilizes 4 conductor telephone cable with polarized RJ11 connectors or operates with radio frequency (RF) wireless controls. The RF system in accordance with at least one embodiment is based on the MiWi protocol. The lighting system protocol is also embedded in RF wireless transceivers so that the transceivers comprise more than “wire eliminators”. At least some embodiments, comprise intelligent nodes performing functions to make the lighting system respond to current or memorized commands and may be configured to work with or without a computer input or server support. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a high-level functional flow diagram of a control determination method  700  usable in conjunction with an embodiment. Control determination method  700  comprises a set of executable or interpretable instructions which, when executed by a controller or processor, e.g., controller  602  ( FIG. 6 ), causes the controller to determine whether to control the illumination level of the device to which the controller is connected. 
     The process flow begins at functionality  702  wherein the value of the controlled component identifier  202  of a received control signal  200  is evaluated to determine whether a special case applies. In at least one embodiment, a special case is determined to exist with respect to a controlled component identifier  202  in which there are no non-zero digits in the value, i.e. the controlled component identifier comprises one or more zeros. In accordance with this particular embodiment, if controlled component identifier  202  comprises no non-zero digits, each component controlled by the controller executing control determination method  700  is turned off. In accordance with another particular embodiment, if controlled component identifier  202  comprises no non-zero digits, each component controlled by the controller executing control determination method  700  is turned on. In at least some other particular embodiments, if controlled component identifier  202  comprises no non-zero digits, the illumination level of each component controlled by the controller executing control determination method  700 . The flow of control then proceeds to end and no further processing according to control determination method  700  is performed. 
     In at least some other embodiments, further special cases may be applied with respect to the receipt of preset controlled component identifiers  202 . For example, a controlled component identifier value of “000” or all zeroes may be used to indicate turning on or off of all light fixtures. Alternatively, a controlled component identifier value of “10000” may be used to indicate turning on or off of all light fixtures or a specified one or more subset of light fixtures. 
     If a special case does not apply the flow of control proceeds to functionality  704  and execution of the method determines whether an individual light fixture  106  is specified by controlled component identifier  202 . The determination of functionality  704  is performed by determining whether the right-most digit of the controlled component identifier is a non-zero value. For example, given a controlled component identifier  202  value of “321”, the right-most digit is “1” thereby indicating control of an individual light fixture. If an individual light fixture is specified by controlled component identifier  202  and the controller executing control determination method  700  is connected to and controlling the specified light fixture, the controller controls illumination of the light fixture. In at least some embodiments, a given controller controlling illumination of a light fixture may cause one or more of turning on, turning off, or setting an illumination level of the light fixture. The flow of control then proceeds to end and no further processing according to control determination method  700  is performed. 
     If an individual light fixture is not specified, the flow of control proceeds to functionality  706  and execution of the method determines the value to the left of the initial zero value digits. For example, given a controlled component identifier  202  value of “320”, the value to the left of the initial zero value digits is “32”. The flow of control then proceeds to functionality  708  and execution of the method compares the value of the digits of the same placement in the component identifier  120  of the light fixture with the value determined in functionality  706 . For example, given a component identifier  120  value of “221” and a controlled component identifier  202  value of “320”, functionality  708  execution causes the comparison of the value “32” determined from functionality  706  with the value “22” determined from the corresponding digits, i.e., the first and second digits from the left of the component identifier value corresponding to the digit places determined in functionality  706 . 
     In another example, given a component identifier  120  value of “555” and a controller component identifier  202  value of “500” (causing functionality  706  execution to determine a value of “5”), functionality  708  execution causes the comparison of the value “5” from the component identifier value with the value “5” from functionality  706 . Because the compared values are the same, the flow proceeds to functionality  710  and the light fixture is controlled. 
     In still another example, given a component identifier  120  value of “919” and a controller component identifier  202  value of “550” (causing functionality  706  execution to determine a value of “55”), functionality  708  execution causes the comparison of the value “91” from the component identifier value with the value “55” from functionality  706 . Because the compared values differ, the flow proceeds to functionality  71  and the light fixture is not controlled. 
     If the compared values are the same, the flow of control proceeds to functionality  710  and the controller executing control determination method  700  controls illumination of the light fixture to which the controller is connected. In at least some embodiments, a given controller controlling illumination of a light fixture may cause one or more of turning on, turning off, or setting an illumination level of the light fixture. The flow of control then proceeds to end and no further processing according to control determination method  700  is performed. 
     In at least some embodiments, the control signal received may comprise an illumination level identifier  402  ( FIG. 4 ) specifying a particular illumination level to which the light fixture is to be controlled. 
     If the compared values differ, the flow of control proceeds to functionality  712  and the controller executing control determination method  700  does not control illumination of the light fixture to which the controller is connected. 
       FIG. 9  is a high-level functional block diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary lighting control system according to an embodiment deployed in a building  900 . 
     Building  900  comprises at least one floor  902  having a hall area  904  and three rooms  906 ,  908 ,  910  each in communication with the hall area. Hall area  904  comprises three light fixtures  912 ,  914 ,  916  and a hall control  918 . Room  906  comprises two light fixtures  920 ,  922 , and a room control  924 . Room  908  comprises two light fixtures  926 ,  928  and a room control  930 . Room  910  comprises two light fixtures  932 ,  934  and a room control  936 . Floor  902  comprises the hall area  904  and the three rooms  906 ,  908 ,  910  and a floor control  938 . Building  900  comprises at least floor  902  and a building control  940 . 
     Each of the light fixtures on floor  902  is electrically connected to a power source, e.g., a mains power source. Each of the light fixtures on floor  902  comprises a controller as described above, i.e., controller  600  ( FIG. 6 ), in which is stored a unique component identifier. The light fixture controller controls the level of illumination generated by the light fixture in accordance with the control determination method described above and in conjunction with the process flow depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
     In accordance with the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the assigned component identifiers for the three light fixtures  912 ,  914 ,  916  in the hall area  904  are “1111”, “1112”, “1113”, respectively. The assigned component identifiers for the two light fixtures  920 ,  922  in the room  906  are “1211”, “1212”, respectively. The assigned component identifiers for the two light fixtures  926 ,  928  in the room  908  are “1221”, “1222”, respectively. The assigned component identifiers for the two light fixtures  932 ,  934  in the room  910  are “1231”, “1232”, respectively. 
     Each of the controls, i.e. room controls  924 ,  930 ,  936 , hall control  918 , floor control  938 , and building control  940 , are configured to generate a light control signal comprising a controlled component identifier  202 , as described above. In at least some embodiments, one or more of the controls comprise one or more user input mechanisms, e.g., a wall switch, a keypad, or other controlling mechanisms, to enable a user to input one or more commands to control the illumination of one or more fixtures. In at least some embodiments, one or more of the controls comprise one or more programs and/or input devices such as sensors, timers etc. to cause the control to generate the light control signal. 
     In at least some embodiments, one or more of the controls is connected with one or more light fixtures via a wired and/or wireless connection to communicate the light control signal to the one or more light fixtures. 
     In at least some embodiments, building  900  comprises more than one floor and greater or fewer hall areas and rooms and corresponding controls. 
     In a given particular scenario, room control  924  is configured to generate a light control signal in which the controlled component identifier  202  is “1210”. In operation, activation of room control  924  by a user, e.g., manipulation of a switch on a wall of the room, causes the room control to generate and transmit a light control signal to light fixtures  920 ,  922  where the controlled component identifier  202  is “1210”. In accordance with the control determination method ( FIG. 7 ), upon receipt of the light control signal from room control  924 , light fixture  922  and light fixture  920  activate and generate illumination based on the matching digits between the light fixture component identifiers and the controlled component identifier digits, i.e., “121” of “1211” and “1212” and “121” of “1210”. 
     In another given particular scenario, room control  930  is configured to generate a light control signal in which the controlled component identifier  202  is either “1221” or “1222” based on a received user input, e.g., a user manipulation of two wall switches connected to the room control. In operation, activation of room control  930  by a user, e.g., manipulation of a switch on a wall of the room, causes the room control to generate and transmit a light control signal to light fixtures  926 ,  928  where the controlled component identifier  202  is “1221”. In accordance with the control determination method ( FIG. 7 ), upon receipt of the light control signal from room control  930 , light fixture  928  activates and generates illumination based on the specified controlled component identifier digits, i.e., “1221” matching at functionality  704  in light fixture  928  execution of the control determination method ( FIG. 7 ). Also, in accordance with the control determination method, upon receipt of the light control signal from room control  930 , light fixture  926  does not activate because the specified controlled component identifier digits do not match the component identifier of light fixture  926 . 
     In another given particular scenario, floor control  938  is configured to generate a light control signal in which the controlled component identifier  202  is one of “1000”, “1100”, “1200” in response to user manipulation of a user input mechanism, e.g., a selection of one of three switches. In operation, manipulation of floor control  938  by a user causes activation or deactivation of illumination by light fixtures  912 ,  914 ,  916  by generation and transmission of a light control signal comprising the controlled component identifier value of “1100”. Alternatively, manipulation of floor control  938  by a user causes activation or deactivation of illumination by light fixtures  920 ,  922 ,  926 ,  928 ,  932 ,  934  by generation and transmission of a light control signal comprising the controlled component identifier value of “1200”. Further alternatively, manipulation of floor control  938  by a user causes activation or deactivation of illumination by the light fixtures on floor  902  a generation and transmission of a light control signal comprising the controlled component identifier value of “1000”. 
     In another given particular scenario, building control  940  is configured to generate a light control signal in which the controlled component identifier  202  is “0000”. In operation, manipulation of building control  940  by a user causes activation or deactivation of illumination by all the light fixtures in building  900  by generation and transmission of a light control signal comprising the controlled component identifier value of “0000”. 
     In at least some embodiments, building control  940  is configured to generate a light control signal in which the controlled component identifier  202  value includes each of the controlled component identifier values of the floor controls in building  900 , e.g., “1000” corresponding to a first floor floor control, “2000” corresponding to a second floor floor control, etc. 
     In accordance with at least one embodiment, one or more of the controlled component identifiers included in the light control signal generated by one of the controls, i.e., building control  940 , floor control  938 , hall control  918 , or room controls  924 ,  930 ,  936 , may be changed based on a changed light fixture layout, room layout, floor layout, hall layout or other physical or logical configuration and/or control scheme change. In such an embodiment, the control of the light fixtures is changeable by changing either or both of the assigned light fixture component identifiers and/or the controlled component identifier(s) generated by the controls without necessitating a change of communication paths or the control determination method or instructions executed by a controller in the light fixtures. 
     It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed embodiments fulfill one or more of the advantages set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to affect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various other embodiments as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by the definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.