Patent Publication Number: US-2017374722-A1

Title: Lighting Fixture Controlling Device, Light Controlling System and Method for Controlling Energy Consumption

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting fixture controlling device, a light controlling system, the method for controlling energy consumption. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In conventional lighting systems the energy consumption of the light sources and the lighting fixtures respectively is controlled by light switches that are installed on walls. More sophisticated lighting control products have been aiming to provide more comfort to the users and to reduce energy consumption by usage optimization. Those solutions comprise different approaches and several separate devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting fixture controlling device. In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to a device, which is capable of controlling the energy consumption of the lighting fixture based on data of a microwave motion detector. Embodiments of the invention further relates to a light controlling system that comprises a multitude of lighting fixture controlling devices. Further embodiments of the invention relate to a method for controlling energy consumption of a light source. In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for controlling the energy consumption based on measured motion. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a lighting fixture controlling device is provided. The device comprises a power input connectable to a power supply, a power output for connecting the device with a lighting fixture, an electricity metering device, the electricity metering device being configured to determine an amount of electric energy conducted to the lighting fixture, a motion detector, the motion detector comprising a microwave sensor, an output controller, the output controller being configured to control the electric energy output by the power output based on motion data provided by the motion detector and based on the determined amount of electric energy. 
     According to a second aspect, a light controlling system comprises a multitude of light controlling devices according to the first aspect. Each light controlling device of the multitude of light controlling devices is configured to communicate with the other light controlling devices of the multitude of light controlling devices. The system further comprises a cloud-based service. The light controlling system is configured to provide the determined amount of electric energy of the multitude of light controlling devices and the data provided by the motion detector to the cloud-based service. The light controlling system is configured to receive control data, the control data comprising control information for controlling the electric energy output. Any kind of sensor information may be pushed into the cloud-based service. 
     According to a third aspect, a method for controlling energy consumption of a light source is provided. The method comprises the steps of: measuring a motion within a predefined area with a microwave motion sensor, determining electric energy consumption of the light source, modifying a light output of the light source according to the measured motion and the determined electric energy consumption. 
     The described devices, systems and methods enable a single control box for power metering, energy consumption controlling and light controlling. Hence, it is easy to install and operate the devices and systems. Multiple elements are combined in a single unit. The devices, systems and methods are compatible with different kinds of lighting fixture and light source respectively. The lighting fixture needs to be compatible with at least one of the controlling functions of the devices, systems and methods. It is easy to reduce the power consumption to a target level. With the devices, systems and methods it is for example possible to optimize the energy consumption in relation to ambience conditions detected by one sensor or more sensors. The controlling is based on sensor inputs from the motion detector and an ambient light sensor in particular. The controlling is for example based on a combination of the motion detector data and the ambient light sensor data. The devices, systems and methods are configured to factor in the motion sensor and the ambient light sensor as sensor inputs to modify the energy output and thereby the energy consumption. For example, a light output of the light source is primarily set on a defined light output level which is optimized according to the information of the sensors. Thereby, the devices, systems and methods are convenient and user friendly. 
     For example, controlling the electrical energy output includes at least one of sending a signal to the lighting fixture that changes the load, performing a switching and performing a dimming function. 
     According to another embodiment, a cloud based system comprises a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by the processor. The program including instructions for: receiving information from a lighting control system at a remote location, the received information related to motion and energy consumption of a plurality of lighting units at the remote location; determining control information from the information related to the motion and the energy consumption of the lighting units; and transmitting the control information to the lighting control system so that the lighting control system can control an electric energy output of the lighting units. 
     For example, the lighting control system can comprise a plurality of lighting control devices, which are each configured to communicate with other light controlling devices via a respective wireless communication interface. The information received from the lighting control system comprises information determined by each of the lighting control devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, like reference symbols are used for like elements of different embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic implementation of a lighting fixture controlling device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram of a lighting fixture controlling device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of a light controlling system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of an operation method for controlling energy consumption of a light source in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic implementation of a light controlling device  100 . 
     The light controlling device  100  is designed as schematically shown in  FIG. 2 , for example. 
     The light controlling device  100  is realized as a single electronic unit with a power input  101 . The power input  101  is connected to a power supply  102 . The power supply  102  may be a supply line that connects a site or a room where the device  100  is installed to an energy supplier. The site may be residential, e.g., an apartment or a house, or commercial, e.g., an office building, a factory or a warehouse. Electric energy of the power supply  102  is conducted to the light controlling device  100  via the power input  101 . 
     The light controlling device  100  comprises a power output  103 . The light controlling device  100  is connected to a lighting fixture  104  via the power output  103 . Electric energy of the power supply  102  is conducted to the lighting fixture  104  via the light controlling device  100 . A light source  105  is installed in the lighting fixture  104 . The light source  105  may be any kind of electric lamp that produces visible light. The light source  105  is a light bulb and/or comprises LEDs, for example. 
     The light controlling device  100  is configured to modify a light output of the lighting fixture  104  and the light source  105 , respectively. In particular, the light controlling device  100  is compatible with existing lighting fixture  104 . Hence, the light controlling device  100  may be integrated into an existing lighting system of the site. The light controlling device  100  follows a retrofittable approach and thus is compatible with a multitude of different kinds of lighting fixture  104  being connected to the power supply  102 . 
     A power connection  108 , for example a power line, connects the lighting fixture  104  with the light controlling device  100 . A further control connection  109  is optional. The control connection  109  is, for example, a bus control system. For example, the lighting fixture  104  comprises a data bus for receiving a control signal from the light controlling device  100  via the control connection  109 . The control connection  109  may be a wireless connection or a cable connection. 
     As shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 , the light controlling device  100  comprises a motion detector  120 . The motion detector  120  comprises a microwave sensor  121 . For example, the microwave sensor  121  has a detection range of 3 to 20 meters (wall mounting). Other detection ranges are possible as well. In addition, the motion detector  120  may comprise a passive infrared motion sensor or another sensor, which is capable of determine a motion. The motion detector  120  is configured to measure motion of an object in its area  190  of view. For example, the object is a person  106  that moves in the field of view of the light controlling device  100  with the motion detector  120 . 
     The motion detector  120  emits and receives microwaves  122 . The microwaves  122  emitted by the motion detector  120  are reflected by the person  106 . When the person  106  moves through the microwaves  122  relative to the generating source, which is the microwave sensor  121 , a change in frequency of the reflected microwaves received by the motion detector  120  is detectable. When the person  106  moves away from the light controlling device  100  the wavelength of the reflected microwaves increases. When the person  106  approaches the light controlling device  100 , the wavelength of the reflected microwaves decreases. The change in frequency and wavelength respectively is used to detect a motion of the person  106  in the area  190 . Hence, the light controlling device  100  with the motion detector  120  uses the Doppler shift to detect a motion in the field of view of the light controlling device  100 . 
     As the microwaves  122  can pass through objects, the light controlling device  100  may be installed behind a ceiling  107 . Due the use of a microwave sensor  121  in the motion detector  120  the light controlling device  100  can be installed such that it is not visible for the person  106 . The light controlling device  100  may be installed in a wall or behind any covering that is at least partly transparent for the microwaves  122  but not transparent for visible light. 
     The light controlling device  100  further comprises an electricity metering device  110 . The electricity metering device  110  allows for measuring the energy consumption of the lighting fixture  104  and the light source  105 , respectively, which are connected to the light controlling device  100 . According to further embodiments, more than one lighting fixture  104  is connected to the power output  103  of the light controlling device  100 . For example, all lighting fixtures  104  in a room are connected to a single light controlling device  100  assigned to that room. The electricity metering device  110  determines an amount of electric energy conducted to the lighting fixture  104 . 
     The light controlling device  100  further comprises an output controller  130 . The output of the output controller may be a dimming via the power line  108  or a control output signal via the control connection  109 . 
     In one embodiment, the output controller  130  only consists of a switch  132 . In that embodiment the light controlling device  100  modifies the electric energy consumption of the lighting fixture  104  by switching the switch  132  and thus turning the electricity to the lighting fixture  104  on an off. 
     For example, when a motion of the person  106  in the area  190  is detected by the motion detector  120  the output controller  130  switches the switch  132  such that the light source  105  is turned on and visible light is emitted by the light source  105 . Electric energy which is consumed thereby is determined by the electricity metering device  110 . When a motion of the person  106  is no longer detected, the light source  105  is turned off by the output controller  130 , for example after a given delay. For example, the delay is given dependent on a given threshold for electrical energy consumption. For example, the threshold is a maximum amount of electrical energy that the light fixture  104  is allowed to consume in a given period, for example a day, a week or a month. When the amount of electrical energy determined by the electricity metering device no is close to the threshold or exceeds the threshold, the delay may be shortened or even be zero. 
     According to further embodiments the output controller  130  additionally comprises a dimmer  131 . The dimmer  131  is configured to adjust the brightness of the light source  105 . In particular, the dimmer  131  is used to lower the brightness of the light source  105  and hence lower the electrical energy consumption. For example, when the energy consumption determined by the electricity metering device no is closer to the threshold or exceeds the threshold in the given period, the dimmer  131  lowers the brightness of the light emitted by the light source  105  to reduce the electric energy consumption. On the other hand, if it is detected that the light intensity in a specific room that is monitored by the controlling device  100  is below a given threshold, the dimmer  131  is uses to increase the brightness of the light source  105  to reach the threshold for the light intensity in the room. 
     According to further embodiments, the output controller  130  comprises a light controller  14   o . The light controller  140  may be additional to the dimmer  131  and/or the switch  132  or may be provided instead of the dimmer  131  and the switch  132 . The light controller  140  is configured to generate a control signal for the light fixture  104 . The control signal, for example, comprises information to turn on or off the light source  105  or to adjust the brightness of the light emitted by the light source  105 . Hence, it is possible to control the electric energy consumed by the lighting fixture  104  via the light controller  140 . The light controller  140  is connected with the lighting fixture  104  via the control connection  109 . The light controller  140  can be used when the light controlling device  100  is connected with a type of lighting fixture  104  that is controllable by the control signal. A light controller  140  controls the lighting fixture  104  when a bus control system is available. 
     The light controlling device  100  with the electricity metering device no, the motion detector  120  and the output controller  130  adds a sensor interaction to the lighting fixture  104  for interaction with the environment as well as a power metering functionality. 
     According to an embodiment, the motion detector  120  is part of a sensor device iso. In addition to the motion detector  120 , the sensor device  150  further comprises at least one of an ambient light sensor  151 , a temperature sensor  152 , a humidity sensor  153 , a smoke sensor  154  and a gas sensor  155 . 
     The sensors  151  to  155  of the sensor device  150  are configured to provide information about ambient conditions in the area  19   o . The output controller  130  is configured to control the electric energy output conducted to the lighting fixture  104  based on the data provided by the sensor device. The output controller  130  or the light controller respectively are configured to control the energy output and the energy consumption respectively based on inputs from or more values received from one or more of the sensors  151  to  155 . For example, the brightness of the light source  105  is adjusted dependent on the intensity of the ambient light, especially natural daylight or light of other light sources than the light source  105 . The brightness of the light source  105  is lowered to a minimum level such that a given brightness in the area  190  is detected by the ambient light sensor  151 . Hence, the electrical energy consumed by the lighting fixture  104  can be reduced by including the brightness of other light sources. With the aid of the ambient light sensor  151  a minimum ambient brightness in the area  190  is realized and the electrical energy consumed by the light source  105  is reduced as much as possible. The data of the other sensors of the sensor device  150  may be used correspondingly. 
     For example, the gas sensor  155  can be utilized for emergency alarm and full brightness level independent of other sensor data. The humidity sensor  153  can be utilized to shift sensor data to the cloud-base service and allow control of lighting fixtures on conditional events in industrial or medical environments such as laboratories. Temperature, humidity and gas sensors do not primarily contribute to energy saving but the system allows certain warning if the parameters of the sensors exceed certain thresholds, and reflect in the lighting behavior, for example a constant dim up/down to alert the users. 
     According to one embodiment, the output controller  130  is configured to compare the data provided by the sensor device  150  with pre-set ambient conditions. For example, the preset ambient conditions are stored in a memory  160  of the light controlling device  100 . According to further embodiments, the pre-set ambient conditions are stored in a storage of a cloud-based service  202  ( FIG. 3 ). The electric energy conducted to the lighting fixture  104  via the power connection  108  is controlled by the light controlling device  100  dependent on the comparison of the determined ambient conditions and the pre-set ambient conditions as well as motion detected by the motion detector  120 . For example, the given minimum ambient brightness for the area  190  is dependent on the time of day. In an office, during working hours the minimum ambient brightness is higher than at night. When a motion in the area  190  is detected outside business hours, for example due to a security officer coming into the area  190 , the light controlling device  100  controls the lighting fixture  104  such that the light source  105  only emits light with a low brightness to conserve and reduce power. 
     The electricity metering device no comprises a communication interface  170 . The communication interface  170  is configured to provide a communication interface with a further light controlling device as shown in  FIG. 3 . Additionally or alternatively the communication interface  170  provides a communication interface with the cloud-based service  202 . 
     According to embodiments, the communication interface  170  comprises a wireless transmission system  171 . For example, the wireless transmission system  171  is configured to exchange data based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. Hence, the light controlling device  100  can communicate wirelessly with other devices  100  to operate in groups. Further, it is possible to trigger the light controlling device  100  remotely. The information determined by the sensor device  150  and/or the electricity metering device no can be communicated within the network to allow a gateway unit to upstream the information into a cloud server of the cloud-based service  202 . 
     A remote trigger for power conservation and reduction can be applied via the communication interface  170 . Hence, the electric energy conducted to the lighting fixture  104  can be controlled dependent on presets that are defined in the cloud-based service  202  to control the electrical energy consumption of the lighting fixture  104  based on a motion detected by the motion detector  120  in the related area  190 . Information collection as well as control orchestration over groups is enabled via the communication interface  170 . Remote triggers for configuration and power consumption reduction to a target level can be received with a feedback channel for performance tracking. 
     The light controlling device  100  according to the present application combines at least the electricity metering device  110 , the motion detector  120  and the output controller  130  in a single electronic unit. The light controlling device  100  is integrated in a single electronic unit within a single housing  180 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a light controlling system  200  that comprises a multitude  201  of light controlling devices  100 A,  100 B and  100 C. According to further embodiments, the multitude  201  of light controlling devices comprises more than three light controlling devices  100 , for example four or more devices  100 . Of course, the multitude  201  of light controlling devices may comprise two light controlling devices  100 . The light controlling devices  100 A,  100 B and  100 C of the multitude  201  of the light controlling devices are configured as explained with respect to the light controlling device  100 . 
     The light controlling devices  100 A and  100 B are connected via their respective communication interface  170 . The light controlling devices  100 B and  100 C are connected via their respective communication interface  170 . The light controlling devices  100 A and  100 C are connected via the light controlling device  100 B. Hence, the light controlling devices  100  of the multitude  201  of the light controlling devices may be connected to each other directly or indirectly. 
     The light controlling devices  100 A and  100 B are connected to the cloud-based service  202  via their respective communication interface  170 . The light controlling device  100 C is connected to the cloud-based service  202  via the light controlling device  100 B. Hence, the light controlling devices  100  of the light controlling system  200  can be connected to the cloud-based service  202  directly or indirectly. 
     For example, the light controlling device  100 A is arranged to detect a motion in a first room  203  and to determine the amount of electrical energy consumed by the lighting fixtures  104  in the first room  203 . The light controlling devices  100 B and  100 C are arranged in a second room  204  to detect a motion in the second room  204  and to determine an amount of electrical energy consumed by the lighting fixtures  104  in the second room  204 . According to further embodiments, the location of the light controlling devices  100  in the rooms may be different and more or less rooms may be monitored by the light controlling system  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the cloud based system comprises a processor  205  and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium  206  that stores a program to be executed by the processor  205 . The program including instructions for: receiving information from a lighting control system  201  at a remote location. The received information is related to motion and energy consumption of a plurality of lighting units  104  at the remote location; determining control information from the information related to the motion and the energy consumption of the lighting units  104 ; and transmitting the control information to the lighting control system  201  so that the lighting control system  201  can control an electric energy output of the lighting units  104 . 
     In this example, the lighting control system comprises the multitude  201  of the light controlling devices. Each light controlling device is configured to communicate with other light controlling devices via a respective wireless communication interface. The information received from the lighting control system comprises information determined by the multitude  201  of the light controlling devices. 
       FIG. 4  shows steps performed for controlling energy consumption of a light source, for example the light source  105 . The steps  301  to  303  may be performed by the light controlling device  100 . 
     In a first step  301 , a motion within the predefined area  190  is measured, for example by the microwave motion sensor  121 . 
     In step  302  an electric energy consumption of the light source  105  is determined. For example, the electric energy consumption is determined by the electricity metering device  110 . 
     In step  303  the light output of the light source  105  is modified according to the measured motion and the determined electric energy consumption. For example, the light output of the light source  105  is modified to reduce the electric energy consumption as much as possible but still provide a sufficient light output when a motion is detected. 
     According to further embodiments, defined settings for modifying the light output are received. The light output of the light source is modified according to the received settings. For example, the settings comprise given minimum values for an ambient brightness in the predefined area  190 . 
     The light controlling device  100  is a combined unit that integrates a power metering functionality and a control functionality for the lighting fixture  104  in a single unit. The light controlling device  100  is able to be inserted between a power line that feeds the lighting fixture  104 . The light controlling device  100  is inserted between the power supply  102  and the lighting fixture  104 . The operation of the lighting fixture  104  is monitored with the electricity metering device no. As the light controlling device  100  is mounted in the electric circuit, the switch  132 , a relay switching unit, for example, and the optional dimmer  131 , a DC or AC dimming unit for example, can cut power or provide a dimming functionality over the power supply wire  108 . 
     In addition, the light controlling device  100  is able to generate a control signal with the light controller  140 . The control signal may be a 0-10V, PWM or DALI standard to deliver the dimming control signal to lighting fixtures  104  which are control enabled. Further protocol enhancements can be foreseen. 
     The sensor device  150  with the motion detector  120  based on the microwave Doppler effect, temperature sensor  152 , humidity sensor  153 , ambient light sensor  151 , smoke sensor  154 , gas sensor  155  and/or a fire sensor delivers information with regard to the ambient environment conditions in the area  190 . 
     The communication interface  170  with the wireless transmission system  171  is able to communicate to other light controlling devices  100  (mesh network) via ZigBee or similar wireless communication protocols. The communication interface  170  is a data interface that is able to receive configuration and setting information as well as to report the current status of the sensors and the power consumption. In addition, a manual trigger signal can be received from the network to lower down the energy consumption in the saturation of given lower limits to further decrease the power consumption. Conditions for this can be target settings for a minimum power consumption and a maintenance of certain light levels to lower the power consumption with respect to parental system guidelines. The receiving and emitting transceiver can be either a second node inside the system or a gateway to a parental system (host controller or cloud solution). The mesh of the system  200  is able to update configuration information for the light controlling device  100  via wireless communication up to the extent of exchanging the complete firmware. 
     The sensor device  150  can be enhanced with various further sensors. The further sensors can be internally or externally attached directly to the light controlling device  100  or be connected to the light controlling device  100  via the communication interface  170 . Multiple data bus protocols may be added physically and/or as software. The light controlling device  100  may be equipped with a USB port for the purpose of manual configuration. A wireless keypad may deliver manual override functionality to temporarily or permanently change settings and automatic functionalities. 
     The light controlling device  100  provides an automated control of the lighting fixture  104  to reduce electrical energy consumption and make adjustments based on conditions such as occupancy or daylight availability. The light controlling device  100  can control the light output of the light source  105  based on given presets to achieve some aesthetic or practical effects and thereby considers the energy consumption determined by the electricity metering device no and the presence of motion in the scanned area  190 .