Patent Abstract:
Disclosed is a means to implement wireless daylight control of light level for a group of lighting fixtures configured to operate in the same light zone, by measuring the amount of natural daylight available in the immediate areas using a photo sensor connected to a wireless control module and wirelessly transmitting the photo sensor output or a derived value based on the photo sensor output. The wireless control can be further supplemented with occupancy control, manual adjustments and automated computerized control of the lighting fixtures configured to operate in the same light zone.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority for this patent application is based upon provisional patent application 61/861,857 (filed on Aug. 2, 2013). The disclosure of this United States patent application is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The current invention relates to lighting control systems for homes, offices, commercial spaces, parking, exterior perimeter and public areas; more particularly to wirelessly incorporating photo sensors into the lighting control systems for controlling lighting operation during daylight hours. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Daylight control of lighting system illumination levels requires adjusting the output of a lighting fixture according to the amount of natural daylight in the immediate areas of the lighting fixture. Wired systems to control illumination level are well known in the art. 
         [0004]    One possible scheme to accomplish this function is by integrating a photo sensor into a lighting fixture equipped with a light source to detect the level of natural light near the lighting fixture. Internally to the lighting fixture the photo sensor is connected to a light driver (e.g. a fluorescent ballast) or, if needed, a suitably designed intermediate device taking the input from the photo sensor and outputs a control signal. The photo sensor outputs ambient light level electrically to the light driver herein assuming the function if required by the intermediate device. The light driver then adjusts the level of electrical power delivered to the connected light source to affect the light level produced by the lighting fixture according to a preprogrammed algorithm. By lowering light output when natural ambient light is available in abundance and increasing light output when natural ambient light is low or not available, energy savings are achieved compared to the alternative practice of maintaining constant light output regardless of the availability of natural light. This method is referred to as “Daylight Harvesting” or “Daylight Control” or simply as “Daylighting”. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates one common implementation of daylight control with a fluorescent lighting fixture. In  FIGS. 1 and 2  lighting apparatuses comprising 3 fluorescent lighting fixtures each comprising fluorescent tubes are depicted. A light driver in the form of a fluorescent ballast (labeled as Dimming Ballast) is provisioned with internal circuitry to provide a voltage supply to energize a photo sensor and internal circuitry to read the photo sensor signal. The output of the photo sensor is used to adjust the level which the light driver energizes the connected fluorescent tubes to affect light output.  FIG. 1  specific depicts fluorescent lighting fixtures, but the same concept applies to other dimmable lighting technologies such as induction lights or solid state lights (SSL). For example, in the case of a SSL lighting fixture where the fluorescent tubes are replaced by light emitting diodes (LED) and the light driver is replaced by a dimmable LED driver (which may be alternatively referred to as LED power supply), the remaining circuitry of the daylight control would apply unchanged and would work in the same fashion as with the fluorescent lighting fixture. 
         [0006]    In the approach illustrated by  FIG. 1 , each lighting apparatus comprises a lighting fixture with an attached photo sensor to measure the surrounding ambient light level. Each lighting apparatus also functions autonomously and independently to all other lighting apparatus. In the event said lighting apparatus is in a location without natural ambient light, the photo sensor would be useless but yet the lighting apparatus would still carry the cost of the photo sensor. Additionally, in the system depicted in  FIG. 1  the dimming function cannot be adjusted by other centralized controlling devices such as a manually operated dimming switch or a computer to automate light level control given the fixture by fixture control scheme. 
         [0007]    In the scheme depicted in  FIG. 1  each lighting apparatus could illuminate at a different brightness level compared to other nearby lighting apparatus due to the slight differences in the local ambient light level. This could be very distracting to human users of the illuminated space. 
         [0008]    The scheme where the light driver such as a fluorescent ballast with integrated photo sensor circuitry is likely to be costly, limited in dimming functions to only “daylight control”, and unable to insure neighboring lighting apparatus will be similarly energized to produce uniform light level. 
         [0009]    It will be demonstrated that the present invention solves the shortcomings of a lighting fixture with a light driver (e.g. fluorescent ballast) with integrated photo sensor circuitry and connected to a photo sensor mounted to the lighting apparatus. 
         [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a scenario common in the current state of the art where a light driver, herein depicted in the form of a fluorescent ballast (labeled Dimming Ballast), has the internal circuitry to support an attached occupancy sensor in addition to a photo sensor. This further complicates the light driver with additional circuitry. Additional power capacity from a built-in power supply is needed to energize the occupancy sensor in addition to the photo sensor, and the light driver must be imbued with the ability to read the state of the occupancy sensor. This additional degree of integration requires the light driver to, in addition to its core function of energizing the lighting fixture, also support all the necessary input and output wiring connections within a very small form factor. Moreover, in order for the light driver to be able to support different light sources such as fluorescent, light emitting diode (LED), and induction light sources, the light driver, e.g. ballast, must be customized to incorporate the occupancy sensor circuitry and wireless processing if the occupancy sensor is to also control other lighting fixtures in the lighting zone. (For purposes of this specification, a group of lighting apparatuses controlled by a single photo sensor is referred to as a lighting zone.) An off-the-shelf light driver will not be capable of performing all these functions and therefore cannot be used which increases system cost. 
         [0011]    It will be demonstrated that the present invention also resolves these issues via incorporating within a lighting zone a wireless control module with the circuitry and programming to interface with an occupancy sensor and photo sensor which would be compatible with a broad array of off-the-shelf light drivers and would be an improvement over the current state of the art. 
         [0012]    Additional shortcomings of the present art of lighting fixtures comprising a light driver with integrated photo sensor circuitry include the following problems with incorporating the sensor interface functions within a light driver without use of a wireless control module: 
         [0000]    each light fixture would need a photo sensor, occupancy sensor, or both, which would increase cost of the lighting fixture;
 
lighting fixtures belonging to the same lighting zone could be illuminated at a different brightness level due to local differences in ambient light level detected by each lighting fixture&#39;s photo sensor;
 
each light driver to be used with a different light source (e.g. LED light or an induction light driver) will need to be customized to incorporate the sensor interface circuitry before the lighting fixture can be used;
 
a photo sensor, occupancy sensor, or combination could not be shared across a lighting zone of lighting fixtures but must be duplicated for each lighting fixture because each lighting fixture would have the photo sensor or occupancy sensor built in;
 
and the lighting fixtures are incompatible with manual zone (e.g. centralized) level dimming using a manual control device (e.g. wall switch) or automated zone level dimming using a computer.
 
         [0013]    It will be demonstrated that the present invention solves these problems. 
         [0014]    The novelty of this invention is to use a wireless control module to interface to a photo sensor and to transmit the output of the photo sensor or a derived control signal to other wireless control modules connected to additional light drivers configured to be in the same lighting zone. 
         [0015]    By using a wireless control module incorporating photo sensor support circuitry to control a light driver rather than connecting the photo sensor support circuitry directly to the light driver, the wireless control module can be paired with different light drivers such as a light emitting diode (LED) light driver or an induction light driver, without first embedding the photo sensor support circuitry into the light driver. This allows the wireless control module to be compatible with off-the-shelf light drivers and lighting fixtures rather than requiring custom and substantially more expensive light drivers with built in photo sensor circuitry. 
         [0016]    The use of separate wireless control modules also provides a much more flexible and widely applicable approach to zone lighting which allows a zone of lighting fixtures to be controlled by a single photo sensor which further allows all the lighting fixtures in the lighting zone to provide the same illumination level. 
         [0017]    A separate photo sensor with a wireless control module will also allow for novel placement of the photo sensor. Traditional installation is to locate a lighting fixture in the ceiling. A photo sensor integrated into the lighting fixture must by default be located in the ceiling plane with the lighting fixture (although it is possible for the photo sensor to be located on the wall for lighting fixtures designed to be wall mounted). This precludes the possibility of locating the photo sensor on the working surface such as a desktop or tabletop in an office zone or on or near the floor in a corridor or walk path zone. 
         [0018]    Locating the photo sensor on the working surface would have the benefit of detecting the lighting illumination level directly at the working surface and, by controlling the light output of the lighting fixture based on the illumination at the lighting surface, delivering the exact illumination level desired for the working surface. A photo sensor installed in the ceiling or wall could only control the approximate or averaged illumination level for the entire light zone or space. A photo sensor located on a working surface, in addition, would allow for more précised control of illumination level directly on the working surface, such as ensuring a desktop would be provided with 50 foot-candle of illumination or the floors in a hallway are illuminated to 30 foot-candle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    In  FIG. 3  one preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. A room which receives natural daylight through an aperture such as a window  800  is represented. In the room, a series of lighting apparatuses  200 ,  300 ,  400 , each comprising a light driver  210 ,  310 ,  410  (fluorescent ballast labelled Dimming Ballast), a fluorescent light tube  220 ,  320 ,  420 , and a wireless control module  230 ,  330 ,  430  are depicted. A photo sensor  240  with circuitry separate from that of the light driver  210  is incorporated into the first lighting apparatus  200  and the photo sensor circuitry is incorporated into the first wireless control module  230 . The wireless control module  230  has built-in circuitry and programming to read the photo sensor  240  output and is capable of providing a dimming control signal to the light driver  210  according to a preprogrammed algorithm. Additionally, the wireless control module  230  may transmit the photo sensor  240  output or a control signal derived from the photo sensor  240  output to other lighting apparatuses  300 ,  400  with wireless control modules  330 ,  430  connected to light drivers  310 ,  410  which drive fluorescent light tubes  320 ,  420 . In this fashion a group of lighting apparatuses  200 ,  300 ,  400  are controlled by a single photo sensor  240  via the wireless control modules  230 ,  330 ,  430  which transmit an identical dimming control signal to each light driver  210 ,  310 ,  410  to insure uniform light output is produced by each fluorescent tube  220 ,  320 ,  420 . 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, the wireless control module  230  may also provide the necessary power supply required by the photo sensor  240 , such as a 12 VDC power supply or a 24 VDC power supply, to energize the photo sensor  240 . 
         [0021]    Various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be shown to provide the following features. 
         [0022]    Each preferred embodiment will comprise a wireless control module to be installed within a lighting fixture or installed external to the lighting fixture but in the range of the wireless modules in the same lighting zone, wherein the wireless control module will form a localized wireless network representing a lighting zone and the wireless control module will have a power supply to energize a photo sensor, the voltage of such to be 12 VDC, 24 VDC, or other voltage such as is customary where the system will be installed and used. 
         [0023]    The wireless control module incorporating supporting circuitries for photo sensor and occupancy sensor would serve as the “coordinator” of the wireless network formed with other wireless modules. In  FIG. 3  the wireless module labeled  230  would serve as the coordinator (which is readily understood by practitioners skilled in wireless networking) responsible for network creation, control of its parameters and basic maintenance, and connecting wireless modules labeled  330  and  430  into a wireless network. The benefit of this approach is eliminating the need for a separate wireless network coordinator required for a wireless network such as Zigbee. 
         [0024]    The wireless control module will be able to read the output of the photo sensor measuring ambient light level and the wireless control module will be equipped to transmit the photo sensor output or a control value derived from the photo sensor to other wireless control modules configured to be in the same lighting zone. 
         [0025]    The wireless control module may have sufficient power supply capacity to energize an occupancy sensor, the voltage of such to be 12 VDC, 24 VDC, or other voltage such as is customary where the system will be installed and used. If the wireless control module is installed in a lighting system which includes an occupancy sensor, the wireless control module will be able to read the output of the occupancy sensor installed to detect the presence or absence of inhabitants in the lighting zone and the wireless control module will be capable of transmitting that occupancy sensor output or a control value derived from the occupancy sensor to other wireless control modules configured to be in the same light zone. 
         [0026]    The wireless control module may also be connected to a user interface device to allow a user to manually adjust the light output of a lighting zone by transmitting the manual settings to other wireless control modules configured to be in the same lighting zone. 
         [0027]    The wireless control module may also be connected to a computer or other automated controller to automatically adjust the light output of a lighting zone by transmitting the automated brightness settings to other wireless control modules configured to be in the same light zone. 
         [0028]    The wireless control module and photo sensor may also be installed ‘inverted’ compared to ceiling or fixture located photo sensor on the working surface (e.g. desktop, table top, floor, etc.) to directly control the illumination of the lighting fixtures in the same light zone to deliver the desired level of illumination. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which: 
           [0030]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict hard wired lighting systems; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary wireless lighting system using a photo sensor; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary wireless control module for a lighting system; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary wireless lighting system using a photo sensor and an occupancy sensor; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary wireless control module for a lighting system; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  depicts various examples of the light driver interfaces for dimming control; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  depicts the ON/OFF control of 0-10V compatible light driver where 0V or 10V do not correspond to zero light level output; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  depicts an exemplary wireless lighting system with a photo sensor and an occupancy sensor with a centralized control device for the manual adjustment of light output for all the lighting fixtures located in a single lighting zone; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary wireless lighting system with a photo sensor and an occupancy sensor with a centralized computer control device for the automated control of light output for all the light fixtures in a single lighting zone; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  depicts an exemplary wireless lighting system using a photo sensor that is located on a lighting fixture; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  depicts an exemplary wireless lighting system using a photo sensor that is located on representative working surfaces; 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  depicts a flow chart for a method for wirelessly using a photo sensor within a lighting system; 
           [0042]      FIG. 14  depicts a flow chart for a method for wirelessly using an occupancy sensor within a lighting system; 
           [0043]      FIG. 15  depicts a flow chart for a method for wirelessly using a photo sensor and a computerized controller within a lighting system; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 16  depicts a flow chart for a method for wirelessly using a photo sensor with a manual override within a lighting system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 3  a preferred embodiment of an exemplary lighting control system  200  for daylight control is depicted. As stated above, Daylight Control is a method of adjusting light output of Lighting Fixtures according to the output of a Photo Sensor measuring natural ambient light levels. 
         [0046]    In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the power to run lighting apparatuses and controllers is supplied externally and may be either 120V (at 50 or 60 Hz) or 277V (at 50 or 60 Hz). In other embodiments, the power supplied to the unit may be at different levels due to either voltage or current levels differing based upon local conditions, including battery powered. A room which receives natural daylight through an aperture such as a window  1600  is represented in  FIG. 3 . In the room, a series of lighting apparatuses  200 ,  300 ,  400 , each comprising at least one light driver  210 ,  310 ,  410  (fluorescent ballast labelled Dimming Ballast), at least one light source (e.g. a fluorescent light tube)  220 ,  320 ,  420 , and a wireless control module  230 ,  330 ,  430  are depicted. It should be noted that the choice of three lighting apparatuses was made for ease of description and that the present teachings are applicable for systems with other quantities of lighting apparatuses. A photo sensor  240  with circuitry separate from that of the light driver  210  is incorporated into the first lighting apparatus  200  and the photo sensor circuitry is incorporated into the first wireless control module  230 . The wireless control module  230  has built-in circuitry and programming to read the photo sensor  240  output and is capable of providing a dimming control signal to the light driver  210  according to a preprogrammed algorithm. The connection to the light driver is a control signal where it will affect the brightness of the light source in a predictable and repeatable fashion. 
         [0047]    Additionally, the wireless control module  230  may transmit the photo sensor  240  output or a control signal derived from the photo sensor  240  output to other lighting apparatuses  300 ,  400  with wireless control modules  330 ,  430  connected to light drivers  310 ,  410  which drive fluorescent light tubes  320 ,  420 . In this fashion a group of lighting apparatuses  200 ,  300 ,  400  are controlled by a single photo sensor  240  via the wireless control modules  230 ,  330 ,  430  which wirelessly transmit an identical dimming control signal to each light driver  210 ,  310 ,  410  to insure uniform light output is produced by each light source  220 ,  320 ,  420 . 
         [0048]    In a preferred embodiment, the wireless control module  230  may also provide the necessary power supply required by the photo sensor  240 , such as a 12 VDC power supply or a 24 VDC power supply, to energize the photo sensor  240 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  depicts the wireless control module  230  providing a DC voltage to energize the photo sensor  240  and has circuitry and programming to interpret the output of the photo sensor. 
         [0050]    In the preferred implementation of the claimed invention depicted in  FIG. 3 , the wireless control module  230  is provisioned to support the photo sensor  240  by providing suitable voltage to energize the photo sensor  240  and also to read and interpret the photo sensor  240  output. The same wireless control module  230  also has a mechanism to derive a dimming control signal based on the value of the photo sensor  240  output to adjust the brightness output of the light source  220 . The photo sensor  240  detects the level of natural ambient light available in the lighting zone. When the ambient light level is high the output of the light source  220  is dimmed, and when the ambient light level is low the output of the light source  220  is increased. Wireless control modules  330 ,  430  connected to additional light drivers  310 ,  410  are provided with the photo sensor signal or a derived control value wirelessly via wireless control module  230 . These wireless control modules  230 ,  330 ,  430  are preconfigured to belong to the same lighting zone. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  illustrates the internal functional elements of a wireless control module  530 . These internal functional elements include an AC to DC power supply  532  (which may be battery operated), a photo sensor interface  534 , a light driver interface  536  and a functional module  538  to process the sensor signal, light driver control signal and wireless communications, and a wireless transmitter  539 . This wireless control module  530  may be used to wirelessly control the light output of all lighting apparatuses in a single lighting zone based upon the input of a single photo sensor  540 . The photo sensor  540  detects ambient light levels in a single lighting zone and transmits a signal to the functional module  538  via the photo sensor interface  534 . The functional module  538  uses preprogrammed algorithms to determine the appropriate light output level and communicates this appropriate level to the light drivers  510  via the light driver interface. The light drivers  510  control the light sources  520  and the appropriate lighting level is produced. The wireless control module  539  may communicate with other wireless control modules controlling other lighting apparatuses in the same lighting zone to allow for all lighting apparatuses to output the correct lighting level required for the ambient light levels present in the lighting zone. 
         [0052]    The AC to DC power supply provides the voltage to energize one or more Photo Sensors. The interface input circuitry (sensor interface) and programming are designed to read the output of the photo sensor and to interpret the measured natural ambient light level. The interface output circuitry and programming are designed to control the output of at least one light driver. The preprogrammed algorithm uses photo sensor measured ambient natural light level in the lighting zone to determine the control signal to transmit to at least one light driver. The wireless circuitry and programming are used to transmit photo sensor output or derived control value to other wireless control modules configured to operate in the same light zone. The wireless control modules connected to light drivers and light sources are configured to be operate in the same light zone and are the light sources are lit in unison to the common photo sensor output. 
         [0053]    In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the power to run lighting apparatuses and controllers is supplied externally and may be either 120V (at 50 or 60 Hz) or 277V (at 50 or 60 Hz). In other embodiments, the power supplied to the unit may be at different levels due to either voltage or current levels differing based upon local conditions, including battery powered. 
         [0054]    A room which receives natural daylight through an aperture such as a window  1800  is represented in  FIG. 5 . In the room, a series of lighting apparatuses  700 ,  800 ,  900 , each comprising at least one light driver  710 ,  810 ,  910  (fluorescent ballast labelled Dimming Ballast), at least one light source  720 ,  820 ,  920 , and a wireless control module  730 ,  830 ,  930  are depicted. A photo sensor  740  with circuitry separate from that of the light driver  710  is incorporated into the first lighting apparatus  700  and the photo sensor circuitry is incorporated into the first wireless control module  730 . An occupancy sensor  750  with circuitry separate from that of the light driver  710  is incorporated into the first lighting apparatus  700  and the occupancy sensor circuitry is incorporated into the first wireless control module  730 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the occupancy sensor may be located on a wall within the light zone; in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the occupancy sensor may be located on a ceiling within the light zone. The wireless control module  730  has built-in circuitry and programming to read the photo sensor  740  output and the occupancy sensor  750  output and is capable of providing a dimming control signal to the light driver  710  according to a preprogrammed algorithm. Additionally, the wireless control module  730  may transmit the photo sensor  740  output or a control signal derived from the photo sensor  740  output to other lighting apparatuses  800 ,  900  with wireless control modules  830 ,  930  connected to light drivers  810 ,  910  which drive fluorescent light tubes  820 ,  920 . The wireless control module  730  may also transmit the occupancy sensor  750  output or a control signal derived from the occupancy sensor  750  output to other lighting apparatuses  800 ,  900  with wireless control modules  830 ,  930  connected to light drivers  810 ,  910  which drive fluorescent light tubes  820 ,  920 . In this fashion a group of lighting apparatuses  700 ,  800 ,  900  are controlled by a single photo sensor  740  and a single occupancy sensor  750  via the wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  which wirelessly transmit an identical dimming control signal to each light driver  710 ,  810 ,  910  to insure uniform light output is produced by each fluorescent tube  720 ,  820 ,  920 . 
         [0055]    In a preferred embodiment, the wireless control module  730  may also provide the necessary power supply required by the photo sensor  740 , such as a 12 VDC power supply or a 24 VDC power supply, to energize the photo sensor  740  and the occupancy sensor  750 . 
         [0056]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 5  the wireless control module  730  is additionally provisioned to work with the occupancy sensor  750  by providing additional power supply capacity to energize the occupancy sensor  750  and also are provided with the circuitry and programming to read and interpret the output of the occupancy sensor  750 . The wireless control module  730  also has a mechanism to derive a control signal based on the state of the occupancy sensor  750  output to turn the light source  7200 N or OFF via a signal sent to the light driver  710 . The occupancy sensor  750  detects the presence or absence of inhabitants in the lighting zone. Wireless control modules  830 ,  930  connected to additional light drivers  810 ,  910  are also provided with the occupancy sensor  750  signal or a derived control value wirelessly via the first wireless control module  730  to energize or extinguish the light sources  820 ,  920  accordingly via the light drivers  810 ,  910 . These wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  are preconfigured to belong to the same lighting zone. 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  depicts the wireless control module  730  providing a DC voltage to energize the photo sensor  740  and the occupancy sensor  750  and has circuitry and programming to interpret the output of the photo sensor  740  and of the occupancy sensor  750 . 
         [0058]    As depicted in  FIG. 6 , a wireless control module  630  can be extended to incorporate support for an occupancy sensor  650 . The occupancy sensor  650  detects the presence or absence of inhabitants in the lighting zone. In the event that inhabitant presence is detected, the state of the occupancy sensor  650  would change and forward a signal to the wireless control module  630  via an occupancy sensor interface  635 . In turn the wireless control module would dispatch a control signal via a light driver interface  636  to light drivers  610  to energize light sources  620  to an illumination level appropriate to the ambient light level detected by a photo sensor  650 . When the occupancy sensor  650  detects lack of inhabitant presence the sensor state would again change accordingly and a signal would be sent to the wireless control module  630  via the occupancy sensor interface  635 . The wireless control module  630  receiving indication of a lack of presence would dispatch a control signal via the light driver interface  636  to the light drivers  610  to turn off the light sources  620  regardless of the photo sensor  640  output sent to the wireless control module  630  via a photo sensor interface  634 . The wireless control module  630  is able to interpret the occupancy sensor  650  output and energize or extinguish the light source  620  via a signal to the light driver  610  depending on the occupancy state of the lighting zone. 
         [0059]    The wireless control module  630  will transmit the occupancy sensor  650  output or a control value derived from the occupancy sensor  650  output to other wireless control modules configured to be in the same lighting zone and affects the ON/OFF status of lighting fixtures in the lighting zone 
         [0060]    Furthermore, if in the lighting zone there other light drivers controlled by additional wireless control modules, the wireless control module  630  would transmit the state of the occupancy sensor  650  to the other wireless control modules installed in the lighting zone so all lighting fixtures in the entire lighting zone would be similarly controlled and the light output from the lighting fixtures would be of a consistent and compatible level. In this fashion the occupancy sensor  650  is able to control an entire lighting zone of lighting fixtures wirelessly. 
         [0061]    The AC to DC power supply provides the voltage to energize one or more Photo Sensors. The photo sensor interface input circuitry (photo sensor interface) and programming are designed to read the output of the photo sensor and to interpret the measured natural ambient light level. The occupancy sensor interface circuitry and programming are designed to read the output of the occupancy sensor. The interface output circuitry and programming are designed to control the output of at least one light driver. The preprogrammed algorithm uses photo sensor measured ambient natural light level in the lighting zone and occupancy sensor output to determine the control signal to transmit to at least one light driver. The wireless circuitry and programming are used to transmit photo sensor output or derived control value and occupancy sensor output or derived control value to other wireless control modules configured to operate in the same light zone. The wireless control modules connected to light drivers and light sources are configured to be operate in the same light zone and are the light sources are lit in unison to the common photo sensor and occupancy sensor outputs. 
         [0062]    A wireless control module with the circuitry and programming to interface with an occupancy sensor and photo sensor would be compatible with a broad array of off-the-shelf light drivers and is an improvement over the current state of the art. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  shows examples of three industry standard light driver interfaces to communicate the dimming control signal. The examples include 0-10 Vdc interface, DALI (Digitally Addressable Lighting Interface) or DMX. Off-the-self light drivers compatible with one of these industry standards (as well as other popular interfaces) would be compatible with the wireless control module invention and could readily be fitted to be controlled via a wireless control module. Preferably the control signal is an industry standard interface such as 0-10 Vdc, DALI or DMX. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the present invention may be used with additional means for control signal. Furthermore for 0-10 Vdc control interface an additional relay control output may be required to completely extinguish the light source. 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment where the wireless control module may be used to provide relay control to a relay connected in series with a light driver&#39;s AC service input for a light driver controlled via a 0-10 Vdc control interface. The relay control is needed because industry standard 0-10 Vdc control does not require the light source to be at zero illumination output when the control is at 0 Vdc and though the conditions would call for the light source to provide zero illumination output, the light source could still be outputting light even when the control is at 0 Vdc. In this case a separate relay is needed to interrupt the power input to the light driver and extinguish the light source completely. The wireless control module may be programmed to provide this relay control. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  illustrates another beneficial embodiment of the invention where a manual control device such as a wall switch or a scene controller is used with a wireless control module to allow for manual adjustment of the illumination level of lighting fixtures for a lighting zone. The wireless control module may incorporate circuitry and programming to read and interpret the manual control device. The wireless control module may transmit the manual setting from the manual control device to other wireless control modules configured to be in the same lighting zone. 
         [0066]    In  FIG. 9 , the lighting system of  FIG. 5  is depicted with the lighting system having an additional wireless control module  1030 . The additional wireless control module  1030  is connected to a user interface device  1100  allowing manual adjustment of the output of the lighting fixtures  700 ,  800 ,  900  in the configured lighting zone. When a user attempts to manually control the output of the lighting fixtures  700 ,  800 ,  900  in the lighting zone, a signal is transmitted to wireless control module  1030  which wirelessly transmits the adjustment settings to the each of the other wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  in the same lighting zone. Each of the other wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  subsequently send signals to their controlled light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  to adjust the output of each light source  720 ,  820 ,  920  to the desired level. 
         [0067]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 9 , the wireless control module  1030  is connected to the manual control device  1100 . Wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  connected to light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  are provided with the brightness setting or a derived control value wirelessly from the wireless control module  1030  connected to the manual control device  1100  and accordingly adjust the brightness output of the their light sources  720 ,  820 ,  920 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 10  illustrates another beneficial embodiment of the invention wherein a computerized control device  1200  such as a computer is added to wirelessly control the lighting zone. The wireless control module may incorporate circuitry and programming to read and interpret the computerized control device. The wireless control module may transmit the commands from the computerized control device to other wireless control modules configured to be in the same lighting zone. 
         [0069]    In  FIG. 10 , the lighting system of  FIG. 9  is depicted with a computerized control device  1200  replacing the manual control  1100 . The wireless control module  1030  in  FIG. 10  is connected to a computerized control device  1200  allowing lighting control to be automated. The computerized control device  1200  uses a preprogrammed algorithm to send signals to the wireless control module  1030  which communicates with the other wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930 . Each of the other wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  transmit signals to each light driver  710 ,  810 ,  910  which control the output of each lighting device  720 ,  820 ,  920 . 
         [0070]    In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 10 , the wireless control module  1030  is connected to a computerized control device  1200 . Wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  connected to light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  are provided with the brightness setting or a derived control value wirelessly from the wireless control module  1030  connected to the computerized control device  1200  and accordingly adjust the brightness output of the their light sources  720 ,  820 ,  920 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 11  presents a depiction of the layout for one preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 11 , a room with a window for allowing natural daylight into the room, two desks for workstations, two light fixtures, and a photo sensor attached to one of the light fixtures is depicted. Using a control scheme such as that depicted in  FIG. 3  allows for output from the single photo sensor to be used in determining and effecting the output of both light fixtures. 
         [0072]      FIG. 12  presents a depiction of the layout for another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 12 , a room with a window for allowing natural daylight into the room, two desks for workstations, two light fixtures, and two representative photo sensors mounted on either the floor or a work station is depicted. Using a control scheme such as that depicted in  FIG. 10  allows for output from either photo sensor to be used in determining and effecting the output of both light fixtures. 
         [0073]      FIG. 13  presents a flow chart of the method used to wirelessly incorporate the photo sensor  240  into the lighting system depicted in  FIG. 3 . In step  2000  the photo sensor  240  detects and measures the ambient light level in the light zone. In steps  2010  and  2020  the photo sensor  240  converts the measured ambient light level to an analog representation of the ambient light level and outputs that analog value to the wireless control module  230 . In steps  2030  and  2040  the wireless control module  230  receives the analog representation of the ambient light level and uses an algorithm to convert the analog value to a light driver control value. In step  2050  the wireless control module transmits the light driver control value to the light driver  210  and to the other wireless control modules  330 ,  430  in the light zone. Wireless control module  330  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  310  and wireless control module  430  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  410 . In step  2060  the light drivers  210 ,  310 ,  410  receive the light driver control value, The light drivers  210 ,  310 ,  410  use an algorithm to convert the control value to a light source power level and transmit the light source power level to the light sources  220 ,  320 ,  420 . In step  2070  the light sources  220 ,  320 ,  420  are adjusted to the appropriate output level. In step  2080  the process is repeated and the photo sensor  240  measures the ambient light level in the light zone. 
         [0074]      FIG. 14  presents a flow chart of the method used to wirelessly incorporate the occupancy sensor  780  into the lighting system depicted in  FIG. 5 . In step  3000  the occupancy sensor  780  detects whether the light zone is occupied. The occupancy sensor  780  may use any readily available means to detect occupancy in the light zone, such as passive infrared or by sound detection. In steps  3010  and  3020  the occupancy sensor  780  converts the measured occupancy state of the light zone to a digital value and outputs that digital value to the wireless control module  730 . In steps  3030  and  3040  the wireless control module  730  receives the digital value from the occupancy sensor  780  and uses an algorithm to derive a light driver control value. In step  3050  the wireless control module transmits the light driver control value to the light driver  710  and to the other wireless control modules  830 ,  930  in the light zone. Wireless control module  830  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  810  and wireless control module  930  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  910 . In step  3060  the light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  receive the light driver control value, The light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  use an algorithm to convert the control value to a light source power level and transmit the light source power level to the light sources  720 ,  820 ,  920 . In step  3070  the light sources  720 ,  820 ,  920  are adjusted to the appropriate output level. In step  3080  the process is repeated and the occupancy sensor  780  measures the occupancy state in the light zone. 
         [0075]      FIG. 15  presents a flow chart of the method used to wirelessly incorporate the user selected manual adjustment to the light input level into the lighting system depicted in  FIG. 9 . In step  4000  an individual located in or outside the light zone selects a desired light level for the light zone using the manual control device  1100 . In steps  4010  and  4020  the manual control device  1100  converts the selected ambient light level to a control command and outputs that control command to the wireless control module  1030 . In steps  4030  and  4040  the wireless control module  1030  receives the control command and uses an algorithm to convert the analog value to a light driver control value. In step  4050  the wireless control module  1030  transmits the light driver control value to the other wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  in the light zone. Wireless control module  730  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  710 , wireless control module  830  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  810  and wireless control module  930  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  910 . In step  4060  the light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  receive the light driver control value, The light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  use an algorithm to convert the control value to a light source power level and transmit the light source power level to the light sources  720 ,  820 ,  920 . In step  4070  the light sources  720 ,  820 ,  920  are adjusted to the appropriate output level. In step  4080  the process is repeated and the manual control device  1100  is set or remains set at the desired user level. 
         [0076]      FIG. 16  presents a flow chart of the method used to wirelessly incorporate computer selected light output level for the light input level into the lighting system depicted in  FIG. 10 . In step  5000  an individual such as an occupant, technician or specialist programs a computerized control device  1200  to a desired light level for the light zone. The programming may be performed once, infrequently, or frequently. As those skilled in the art are aware, the frequency of adjusting the programming does not alter the novelty of the present invention. In steps  5010  and  5020  the computerized control device  1200  converts the selected ambient light level to a control command and outputs that control command to the wireless control module  1030 . The command or sequence of commands may be outputted to satisfy the programming embodying the desired behavior of a single light zone or multiple light zones. In steps  5030  and  5040  the wireless control module  1030  receives the control command and uses an algorithm to convert the analog value to a light driver control value. In step  5050  the wireless control module  1030  transmits the light driver control value to the other wireless control modules  730 ,  830 ,  930  in the light zone. Wireless control module  730  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  710 , wireless control module  830  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  810  and wireless control module  930  transmits the light driver control value to light driver  910 . In step  5060  the light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  receive the light driver control value, The light drivers  710 ,  810 ,  910  use an algorithm to convert the control value to a light source power level and transmit the light source power level to the light sources  720 ,  820 ,  920 . In step  5070  the light sources  720 ,  820 ,  920  are adjusted to the appropriate output level. In step  4080  the process is repeated and the wireless control module  1030  receives the control command. 
         [0077]    Although several embodiments of the present invention, methods to use said, and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged lighting system.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8