Patent ID: 12219676

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A lighting device may be controlled to achieve many factors. The factors may include Melanopic Lux, Circadian Stimulus (CS), vividness, naturalness, color rending index (CRI), correlated color temperature (CCT), red saturation, blue saturation, green saturation, color preference, color discrimination, illuminance/intensity, efficacy, and/or correction for color deficiencies (e.g., red-green color blindness).

FIG.1is a simple diagram of an example load control system100for controlling color of one or more load control devices (e.g., lighting loads installed in lighting fixtures120-126). The load control system100may be installed in one or more rooms102of a building. The load control system100may comprise a plurality of control devices configured to communicate with each other via wireless signals, e.g., radio-frequency (RF) signals108. Alternatively or additionally, the load control system100may comprise a wired digital communication link coupled to one or more of the control devices to provide for communication between the load control devices. The control devices of the load control system100may comprise a number of control-source devices (e.g., input devices operable to transmit digital messages in response to user inputs, occupancy/vacancy conditions, changes in measured light intensity, etc.) and a number of control-target devices (e.g., load control devices operable to receive digital messages and control respective electrical loads in response to the received digital messages). A single control device of the load control system100may operate as both a control-source and a control-target device.

The control-source devices may be configured to transmit digital messages directly to the control-target devices. Additionally, or alternatively, the load control system100may comprise a system controller110(e.g., a central processor or load controller) operable to communicate digital messages to and from the control devices (e.g., the control-source devices and/or the control-target devices). For example, the system controller110may be configured to receive digital messages from the control-source devices and transmit digital messages to the control-target devices in response to the digital messages received from the control-source devices. The system controller may also directly control control-target devices without receiving messages from control-source devices, such as in response to time-clock schedules. The control-source and control-target devices and the system controller110may be configured to transmit and receive the RF signals108using a proprietary RF protocol, such as the ClearConnect® protocol. Alternatively, the RF signals108may be transmitted using a different RF protocol, such as, a standard protocol, for example, one of WIFI, ZIGBEE, Z-WAVE, KNX-RF, ENOCEAN RADIO protocols, or a different proprietary protocol.

The control-target devices in the load control system100may comprise one or more remotely-located load control devices, such as light-emitting diode (LED) drivers (not shown) that may be installed in the lighting fixtures120-126for controlling the respective lighting loads (e.g., LED light sources and/or LED light engines). The LED drivers may be located in or adjacent to the lighting fixtures120-126. The LED drivers may be configured to receive digital messages such as via the RF signals108(e.g., from the system controller110) and to control the respective LED light sources in response to the received digital messages. The LED drivers may be configured to adjust intensities of the respective LED light sources in response to the received digital messages to adjust an intensity and/or a color (e.g., a color temperature) of the cumulative light emitted by the respective lighting fixtures120-126. The LED drivers may attempt to control the color temperature of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixtures120-126along a black body radiator curve on the chromaticity coordinate system. Examples of LED drivers configured to control the color temperature of LED light sources are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0312777, filed Oct. 23, 2014, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING COLOR TEMPERATURE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other example LED drivers configured to control the color temperature of LED light sources may also be used in load control system100. The load control system100may further comprise other types of remotely-located load control devices, such as, for example, electronic dimming ballasts for driving fluorescent lamps.

The load control system100may comprise one or more daylight control devices, e.g., motorized window treatments130, such as motorized cellular shades, for controlling the amount of daylight entering the room102. Each motorized window treatments130may comprise a window treatment fabric132hanging from a headrail134in front of a respective window104. Each motorized window treatment130may further comprise a motor drive unit (not shown) located inside of the headrail134for raising and lowering the window treatment fabric132for controlling the amount of daylight entering the room102. The motor drive units of the motorized window treatments130may be configured to receive digital messages via the RF signals108(e.g., from the system controller110) and adjust the position of the respective window treatment fabric132in response to the received digital messages. The load control system100may comprise other types of daylight control devices, such as, for example, a cellular shade, a drapery, a Roman shade, a Venetian blind, a Persian blind, a pleated blind, a tensioned roller shade systems, an electrochromic or smart window, and/or other suitable daylight control device. Examples of battery-powered motorized window treatments are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,461, issued Feb. 10, 2015, entitled MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305602, published Oct. 16, 2014, entitled INTEGRATED ACCESSIBLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FOR MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other example motorized window treatments may also be used in load control system100.

The load control system100may comprise one or more other types of load control devices, such as, for example, a screw-in luminaire including a dimmer circuit and an incandescent or halogen lamp; a screw-in luminaire including a ballast and a compact fluorescent lamp; a screw-in luminaire including an LED driver and an LED light source; an electronic switch, controllable circuit breaker, or other switching device for turning an appliance on and off; a plug-in load control device, controllable electrical receptacle, or controllable power strip for controlling one or more plug-in loads; a motor control unit for controlling a motor load, such as a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan; a drive unit for controlling a motorized window treatment or a projection screen; motorized interior or exterior shutters; a thermostat for a heating and/or cooling system; a temperature control device for controlling a setpoint temperature of an HVAC system; an air conditioner; a compressor; an electric baseboard heater controller; a controllable damper; a variable air volume controller; a fresh air intake controller; a ventilation controller; a hydraulic valves for use radiators and radiant heating system; a humidity control unit; a humidifier; a dehumidifier; a water heater; a boiler controller; a pool pump; a refrigerator; a freezer; a television or computer monitor; a video camera; an audio system or amplifier; an elevator; a power supply; a generator; an electric charger, such as an electric vehicle charger; and an alternative energy controller.

The load control system100may comprise one or more input devices, e.g., such as one or more remote control devices140and/or one or more sensors150(e.g., visible light sensors). The input devices may be fixed or movable input devices. The system controller110may be configured to transmit one or more digital messages to the load control devices (e.g., the LED drivers in the lighting fixtures120-126, and/or the motorized window treatments130) in response to the digital messages received from the remote control device140and the sensor150. The remote control device140and/or the sensor150may be configured to transmit digital messages directly to the LED drivers of lighting fixtures120-126, and/or the motorized window treatments130.

The remote control device140may be configured to transmit digital messages via the RF signals108to the system controller110(e.g., directly to the system controller) in response to an actuation of one or more buttons of the remote control device. The digital messages may include commands for adjusting the intensity, color, and/or color temperature of the lighting fixtures120-126. For example, the remote control device140may be battery-powered.

The sensor150may transmit digital messages that include information regarding occupancy and/or vacancy in the room102, and/or the intensity and/or the color temperature of the illumination in the room102(e.g., as a value or an image). The sensor150may be installed externally or inside any of the lighting fixtures120-126. The system controller110may control the intensity and/or the color temperature of the light emitted by the lighting fixtures120-126based on the occupancy conditions detected by the sensor150and/or the light intensity measured by the sensor150. Again, the load control system100may include a single sensor or multiple sensors with each configured to detect any of occupancy and/or vacancy in the room102, the intensity of the illumination in the room, and/or the color temperature of the illumination in the room.

For example, the sensor150may be configured to measure a light intensity in the room102(e.g., may operate as a daylight sensor). The sensor150may transmit digital messages including the measured light intensity via the RF signals108for controlling the lighting fixtures120-126in response to the measured light intensity. Examples of RF load control systems having daylight sensors are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013, entitled METHOD OF CALIBRATING A DAYLIGHT SENSOR; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013, entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWERED DAYLIGHT SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other example daylight sensors may also be used in load control system100.

The sensor150may be configured to detect occupancy and/or vacancy conditions in the room102(e.g., may operate as an occupancy and/or vacancy sensor). The occupancy sensor150may transmit digital messages to load control devices via the RF communication signals in response to detecting the occupancy or vacancy conditions. The system controller110may be configured to turn the lighting fixtures120-126on and off in response to receiving an occupied command and a vacant command, respectively. The sensor150may operate as a vacancy sensor, such that the lighting fixtures120-126are only turned off in response to detecting a vacancy condition (e.g., and not turned on in response to detecting an occupancy condition). Examples of RF load control systems having occupancy and vacancy sensors are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011, entitled RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM WITH OCCUPANCY SENSING; U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issued Jun. 12, 2012, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A WIRELESS SENSOR; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,228,184, issued Jul. 24, 2012, entitled BATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCY SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other example occupancy and/or vacancy sensors may also be used in load control system100.

The sensor150may also be configured to measure a color (e.g., measure a color temperature) of the light emitted by one or more of the lighting fixtures120-126in the room102(e.g., to operate as a color sensor and/or a color temperature sensor). The sensor150may transmit digital messages (e.g., including the measured color temperature) to the system controller110via the RF signals108for controlling the color (e.g., the color temperatures) of the lighting fixtures120-126in response to the measured color temperature (e.g., color tuning of the light in the room). An example of a load control system for controlling the color temperatures of one or more lighting loads is described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0312777, published Oct. 23, 2014, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING COLOR TEMPERATURE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other example color sensors may also be used in load control system100.

The sensor150may comprise a camera directed into the room102. The sensor150may be configured to process images recorded by the camera and transmit one or more digital messages to the load control devices in response to the images (e.g., in response to one or more sensed environmental characteristics determined from the images). The sensor150may transmit digital messages to the system controller110via the RF signals108(e.g., using the proprietary protocol) in response to detecting a change in color temperature. The sensor150may comprise a first communication circuit for transmitting and receiving the RF signals108using the proprietary protocol.

The load control system100may comprise other types of input devices, such as, for example, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, radiometers, cloudy-day sensors, shadow sensors, pressure sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, air-quality sensors, motion sensors, security sensors, proximity sensors, fixture sensors, partition sensors, keypads, multi-zone control units, slider control units, kinetic or solar-powered remote controls, key fobs, cell phones, smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants, personal computers, laptops, timeclocks, audio-visual controls, safety devices, power monitoring devices (e.g., such as power meters, energy meters, utility submeters, utility rate meters, etc.), central control transmitters, residential, commercial, or industrial controllers, and/or any combination thereof.

The system controller110may be coupled to a network, such as a wireless or wired local area network (LAN), e.g., for access to the Internet. The system controller110may be wirelessly connected to the network, e.g., using Wi-Fi technology. The system controller110may be coupled to the network via a network communication bus (e.g., an Ethernet communication link). The system controller110may be configured to communicate via the network with one or more network devices, e.g., a mobile device160, such as, a personal computing device and/or a wearable wireless device. The mobile device160may be located on an occupant162, for example, may be attached to the occupant's body or clothing or may be held by the occupant. The mobile device160may be characterized by a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number or address stored in memory) that uniquely identifies the mobile device160and thus the occupant162. Examples of personal computing devices may include a smart phone (for example, an iPhone® smart phone, an Android® smart phone, or a Blackberry® smart phone), a laptop, and/or a tablet device (for example, an iPad® hand-held computing device). Examples of wearable wireless devices may include an activity tracking device (such as a FitBit® device, a Misfit® device, and/or a Sony Smartband® device), a smart watch, smart clothing (e.g., OMsignal® smartwear, etc.), and/or smart glasses (such as Google Glass® eyewear). In addition, the system controller110may be configured to communicate via the network with one or more other control systems (e.g., a building management system, a security system, etc.).

The mobile device160may be configured to transmit digital messages to the system controller110, for example, in one or more Internet Protocol packets. For example, the mobile device160may be configured to transmit digital messages to the system controller110over the LAN and/or via the internet. The mobile device160may be configured to transmit digital messages over the internet to an external service (e.g., If This Then That (IFTTT®) service), and then the digital messages may be received by the system controller110. The mobile device160may transmit and receive RF signals109via a Wi-Fi communication link, a Wi-MAX communications link, a Bluetooth communications link, a near field communication (NFC) link, a cellular communications link, a television white space (TVWS) communication link, or any combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device160may be configured to transmit RF signals108according to the proprietary protocol. The load control system100may comprise other types of network devices coupled to the network, such as a desktop personal computer, a Wi-Fi or wireless-communication-capable television, or any other suitable Internet-Protocol-enabled device. Examples of load control systems operable to communicate with mobile and/or network devices on a network are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0030589, published Jan. 31, 2013, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Mobile and/or network devices may also communicate with system100in other manners.

The operation of the load control system100may be programmed and configured using, for example, the mobile device160or other network device (e.g., when the mobile device is a personal computing device). The mobile device160may execute a graphical user interface (GUI) configuration software for allowing a user to program how the load control system100will operate. For example, the configuration software may run as a PC application or a web based application. The configuration software and/or the system controller110(e.g., via instructions from the configuration software) may generate a load control database that defines the operation of the load control system100. The load control database may be stored at the system controller. For example, the load control database may include information regarding the different control-source and control-target devices making up of the load control system, and the operational settings of these different load control devices of the load control system (e.g., the LED drivers of the lighting fixtures120-126, and/or the motorized window treatments130,). The load control database may comprise information regarding associations between control-target devices and control-source devices (e.g., the remote control device140, the sensor150, etc.). The load control database may comprise information regarding how the control-target devices respond to inputs received from the control-source devices. Examples of configuration procedures for load control systems are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,391,297, issued Jun. 24, 2008, entitled HANDHELD PROGRAMMER FOR A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0092075, published Apr. 17, 2008, entitled METHOD OF BUILDING A DATABASE OF A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/830,237, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled COMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Various fixture capability information may be determined as described herein for one or more of the lighting fixtures (e.g., the fixtures120-126) within load control system100. The fixture capability information may include one or more fixture capability metrics for one or more operating parameters of the lighting fixtures. For example, one operating parameter of a lighting fixture may be color temperature (e.g., measured in Kelvin), and fixture capability metrics of the color temperature may be a minimum color temperature, a maximum color temperature, a color temperature range, and/or a correlated color temperature (CCT) tuning curve. Another operating parameter of a lighting fixture may be color, and fixture capability metrics of the color may be a color gamut (e.g., represented by the chromaticity coordinates of the individual light sources in the lighting fixture) and/or a color mixing curve. Another fixture capability metric of the color of a lighting fixture may be a spectral power distribution (e.g., a full or partial spectrum) per internal LED light source, which may be represented by one or more peak wavelengths, a spectral width, and/or spectral power measurements at one or more wavelengths. Another operating parameter of a lighting fixture may be intensity, and fixture capability metrics of the intensity of the lighting fixture may be the maximum and minimum lumen outputs per internal LED light source, a dimming range, and/or a dimming curve. Another operating parameter of a lighting fixture may be power consumption, and fixture capability metrics of power consumption may be a power range and/or a power consumption of the lighting fixture when each of the internal LED light sources is turned on individually.

Knowledge of the fixture capability information for the lighting fixtures120-126may enable the system controller110to control the fixtures to achieve a desired overall effect in the space (e.g., a desired color temperature). For example, a perceived color temperature may differ from a measured color temperature (e.g., measured by a light meter). The system controller may use the fixture capability information for each fixture in a given space (e.g., such as the room102) to control the fixtures to achieve the perceived color temperature.

The system controller110may be configured to obtain the fixture capability information (e.g., information regarding the capabilities of the lighting fixtures that are controlled by the system controller). The lighting fixtures120-126may obtain and store the fixture capability information for themselves and/or may share the information with other control devices, such as the system controller based on the system controller communicating with the fixtures to obtain the information, for example. For example, each lighting fixture120-126may include a control circuit and a memory for storing its fixture capability information itself. The control circuit of each lighting fixture120-126and/or the system controller110may retrieve the fixture capability information from the memory in the respective fixture. Additionally or alternatively, the fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device (e.g., a server in the cloud). The lighting fixtures120-126and/or the system controller110may download the fixture capability information from the remote network device.

The fixture capability information of each lighting fixture120-126may be determined during manufacturing of the lighting fixtures, for example, at an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). For example, the manufacturer may use a measurement tool to determine the fixture capability information after one or more of the lighting fixtures120-126are assembled. The fixture capability information may also be determined (e.g., measured) during commissioning of the load control system100. For example, a measurement tool (e.g., a mobile measurement device164) may be located in the space (e.g., placed on a task surface) and may be used to collect the fixture capability information. In addition, a measurement tool (e.g., a measurement sensor166) may be installed on or near one or more of the lighting fixtures120-126for collecting the fixture capability information during commissioning of the load control system100. The measurement sensor166may be removed after the fixture capability information is collected, and/or the measurement sensor166may be permanently installed on the lighting fixture (e.g., to operate as a fixture sensor) during normal operation. While not shown inFIG.1, a separate measurement sensor166may be installed on each of the lighting fixtures120-126.

The system controller110may use the obtained fixture capability information to control and/or configure the lighting fixtures120-126. The system controller110may be configured to establish room capability information for the room102based on the fixture capability information of the lighting fixtures120-126in the room102. The room capability information may be stored in memory in the system controller110. The system controller110may determine the commands to transmit to the lighting fixtures120-126based on the room capability information stored in memory on the system controller. For example, the system controller110may receive a command for controlling one or more of the lighting fixtures120-126and may determine a command to transmit to the lighting fixtures120-126based on the room capability information. For example, the system controller110may determine a room color temperature range (i.e., room capability information) based on the color temperature range (i.e., fixture capability information) of all of the lighting fixtures in the room, and may limit all of the fixtures in the room to the room color temperature range. The system controller110may establish (e.g., determine) a room color gamut (i.e., room capability information) based on the color gamuts (i.e., fixture capability information) of all of the lighting fixtures in the room, and use the room color gamut to control the lighting fixtures in the room. Additionally or alternatively, the system controller110may transmit the room capability information to the lighting fixtures120-126, which may store the room capability information and may use the room capability information to control the light sources in response to received commands

The lighting fixtures120-126may be configurable, and the system controller110may be configured to transmit the room capability information to the lighting fixtures120-126for use during normal operation. For example, the lighting fixtures120-126may limit their color temperature ranges and/or gamuts based on the room capability information (e.g., the room color temperature range and/or the room color gamut) received from the system controller110. The system controller110may determine a room color mixing curve (i.e., room capability information) and transmit the room color mixing curve to the lighting fixtures120-126so that each lighting fixture may emit light at a specific color in response to a requested color temperature to achieve a desired color effect for the room102. For example, the system controller100may control each lighting fixture to emit light at approximately the same color temperature.

The lighting fixtures120-126may be configured to limit the power consumption of each lighting fixture to a maximum power threshold across the color temperature range of each lighting fixture (e.g., the room color temperature range). For example, the system controller110may identify a constant light intensity to which the light emitted by the lighting fixtures120-126may be controlled to prevent the power consumption of each of the lighting fixtures from exceeding the maximum power threshold across the room color temperature range. The system controller110may transmit the identified constant light intensity to the lighting fixtures120-126for use during normal operation. In addition, the system controller may be configured to determine a color mixing curve for the lighting fixtures120-126that maximizes the lighting intensity (e.g., the lumen output) of the lighting fixtures across the room color temperature range without exceeding the maximum power threshold.

Some lighting fixtures in the room102may not be configurable. Such unconfigurable lighting fixtures may not be able to receive the fixture and/or room capability information from the system controller110, to store the fixture and/or room capability information, and adjust their operation in response to the fixture and/or room capability information. For example, some unconfigurable lighting fixtures may only be able to emit light at a static (e.g., fixed) color temperature and/or control the color temperature according to a fixed (e.g., unconfigurable) color mixing curve. Such lighting fixtures may be considered low-performing lighting fixtures since those lighting fixtures may not be able to achieve a desired color temperature range and/or color gamut in the room102. When configurable and unconfigurable lighting fixtures are located in the same room, it may be desirable to match the operation of the configurable lighting fixtures to the operation of the unconfigurable lighting fixtures so that the color of the light emitted by the lighting fixtures in the room102appear to be the same to the human eye even though the color temperature may not be in a desired or preferred color temperature range. For example, if the room includes a lighting fixture with a static color temperature, the system controller110may be configured to set the room color mixing curve as constant (e.g., with respect to the requested intensity and/or color temperature) at the static color temperature. In addition, if the room includes a lighting fixture with a fixed color mixing curve, the system controller110may be configured to set the room color mixing curve to be the same as the fixed color mixing curve. If the room does not include any unconfigurable lighting fixtures, the system controller110may set the room color mixing curve to a desired color mixing curve.

During normal operation, the system controller110may be configured to dynamically update the room capability information. For example, the system controller110may be configured to adjust the room capability information based on the lighting fixtures that are presently on. The system controller110may be configured to obtain the states of one or more of the lighting fixtures based on information received from the measurement sensor(s)166(e.g., sensor data). In addition, system controller110may be configured to turn off low-performing lighting fixtures to improve the room capabilities. If any of the room capability metrics of the present room capability information fall outside a desired range, the system controller110may be configured to turn off the low-performing lighting fixtures in the room. For example, the system controller110may be configured to turn off lighting fixtures that have fixture capability metrics that cause the room capability metrics to fall outside the desired range (e.g., low-performing lighting fixtures).

Prior to turning off the low-performing lighting fixtures, the system controller110may transmit a message to the mobile device160to cause the mobile device to prompt a user as to whether the low-performing lighting fixtures should be turned off or not. For example, the mobile device may display a present (e.g., limited) color temperature range as well as a possible color temperature range (e.g., if the low-performing lighting fixtures are turned off) for the user on the visible display of the mobile device to assist the user in making a decision.

The capabilities of the lighting fixtures120-126may fluctuate throughout the operating life of the lighting fixtures depending on various factors. The factors may include the ratings of the lighting fixture, the total time that the lighting fixture has been on, the intensities at which the lighting fixture operates when the lighting fixture is on, the colors and/or color temperatures at which the lighting fixture operates, the mode (e.g., color rendering mode or otherwise) in which the lighting fixture operates, the frequency of events that may occur (e.g., that may have occurred or about to occur based on historical operating data) to the lighting fixture that positively or negatively impacts the fixture's operating life, and/or other factors.

As described herein, the system controller110may adjust the room capability information over the lifetimes of the lighting fixtures120-126in the room based on updated fixture capability information. The system controller110may determine the updated fixture capability information from sensor data received from the measurement sensor166and/or information obtained from the fixtures themselves. In addition, the measurement sensor166(as well as other measurement sensors in the room102) may determine the updated fixture capability information and transmit the updated fixture capability information to the system controller110. The system controller110and/or the measurement sensor(s)166may record and/or store events and/or the factors that may be related to the operating lifetimes of the lighting fixtures120-126. In addition, the system controller110may receive the recorded events and/or the factors that may be related to the operating lifetimes of the lighting fixtures120-126in messages received from the lighting fixtures. The system controller110may update the room capability information if any fixture capability metrics of the fixture capability information change by a predetermined amount.

The system controller110may generate a warning if one or more of the lighting fixtures exceeds an expected lifetime of the lighting fixture. If a lighting fixture needs to be replaced, a replacement fixture with similar lifetime output may be used to replace the presently-installed lighting fixture. The system controller110may program the replacement fixture similarly to the lighting fixture that is replaced (e.g., with the fixture capability information and/or the room capability information of the previously-installed lighting fixture). The system controller110may receive a request from a user of the fixture to turn on/off or dial up/down an output of a fixture. The system controller110may maintain a relatively consistent lifetime output for each fixture based on a time of a day, a time of a year, occupancy conditions, scene data, and/or others.

FIG.2Ais a block diagram of an example lighting fixture200(e.g., one of the lighting fixtures120-126shown inFIG.1) that may include a controllable-color-temperature load control system210. The controllable-color-temperature load control system210of the lighting fixture200may include a multi-channel driver220and a composite lighting load230. The composite lighting load230may include a plurality of light sources (e.g., LED light sources). The controllable-color-temperature load control system210may be configured to control one or more of the individual elements of the composite lighting load230in order to affect the color temperature of the light emitted by the composite lighting load and thus the lighting fixture200. For example, the composite lighting load230may include a first light source232and a second light source234. The first and second light sources232,234may be discrete-spectrum light sources, continuous-spectrum light sources, and/or hybrid light sources. The controllable-color-temperature load control system210may be configured to control the first and second light sources232,234in order to achieve a desired intensity and/or color temperature of the light emitted by the composite lighting load230.

In order to control the color temperature of the light emitted by the composite lighting load230, the multi-channel LED driver220of the controllable-color-temperature load control system210may include a first load regulation circuit222, a second load regulation circuit224, and a control circuit225. The control circuit225may be configured to generate a first drive signal VDR1to control the first load regulation circuit222in order to adjust the intensity of the first light source232. The control circuit225may be configured to generate a second drive signal VDR2to control the second load regulation circuit224in order to adjust the intensity of the second light source234. The drive signals VDR1, VDR2may be analog signals and/or digital signals. The control circuit225may be coupled to a memory229for storing the fixture capability information and/or room capability information of the lighting fixture200. In addition, the memory229may store instructions that are executed by the control circuit225to provide the functions described herein.

The control circuit225may be configured to control (e.g., individually control) the amount of power delivered to the first and second light sources232,234to thus control the intensities of the light sources. The control circuit225may be configured to control the first load regulation circuit222to conduct a first load current through the first light source232, and to control the second load regulation circuit224to conduct a second LED current through the second light source234. For example, the light sources232,234may be different color LED light sources and the light emitted by the light sources may be mixed together to adjust the color temperature of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200. For example, the first light source232may be a cool-white LED light source and the second light source234may be a warm-white LED light source. The control circuit225may be configured to adjust the intensities of the cool-white light emitted by the first light source232and the warm-white light emitted by the second light source234to control the color temperature of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200.

The color temperature of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200may range between the cool-white light of the first light source232(when only the first light source is on) to the warm-white light of the second light source234(when only the second light source is on). The control circuit225may be configured to adjust the color temperature between the cool-white light of the first light source232and the warm-white light of the second light source234by turning both light sources on. The control circuit225may control the magnitudes of the load currents conducted through the first and second light sources232,234to mix the cool-white light emitted by the first light source232and the warm-white light emitted by the second light source234, respectively, to control the color temperature of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200to the desired color temperature.

The multi-channel driver220may comprise a communication circuit228adapted to be coupled to a communication link (e.g., a digital communication link), such that the control circuit225may be able to transmit and/or receive messages (e.g., digital messages) via the communication link. The multi-channel driver220may be assigned a unique identifier (e.g., a link address) for communication on the communication link. The multi-channel driver220may be configured to communicate with a system controller (e.g., the system controller110), as well as other LED drivers and control devices, via the communication link. The control circuit225may be configured to receive messages including commands to control the composite lighting load230via the communication circuit228. For example, the communication link may comprise a wired communication link, for example, a digital communication link operating in accordance with one or more predefined communication protocols (such as, for example, one of Ethernet, IP, XML, Web Services, QS, DMX, BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, and KNX protocols), a serial digital communication link, an RS-485 communication link, an RS-232 communication link, a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) communication link, or a LUTRON ECOSYSTEM communication link. Additionally or alternatively, the digital communication link may comprise a wireless communication link, for example, a radio-frequency (RF), infrared (IR), or optical communication link. Messages may be transmitted on an RF communication link using, for example, one or more of a plurality protocols, such as the LUTRON CLEARCONNECT, WIFI, ZIGBEE, Z-WAVE, THREAD, KNX-RF, and ENOCEAN RADIO protocols.

The control circuit225may be responsive to messages (e.g., digital messages that include the respective link address of the driver) transmitted by the system controller to the multi-channel driver220via the communication link. The control circuit225may be configured to control the light sources232,234in response to the messages received via the communication link. The system controller may be configured to transmit messages to the multi-channel driver220for turning both light sources232,234on and off (e.g., to turn the lighting fixture200on and off). The system controller may also be configured to transmit messages to the multi-channel driver220for adjusting at least one of the intensity and the color temperature of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200. The multi-channel driver220may be configured to transmit messages including feedback information via the digital communication link.

The system controller may be configured to transmit a command (e.g., control instructions) to the multi-channel driver220for adjusting the intensity and/or the color temperature of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200(e.g., the light emitted by the first and second light sources232,234). For example, the command may include a desired intensity (e.g., a requested intensity) and/or a desired color temperature (e.g., a requested color temperature) for the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200. The control circuit225may adjust the magnitudes of the load currents conducted through the first and second light sources232,234to control the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200to the desired color temperature of the command. In an example, the intensity levels of both the first and second light sources232,234may be controlled in order to affect the overall color temperature of the light emitted by the composite lighting load230.

The command transmitted by the system controller may include only an intensity (e.g., and not color temperature), and the control circuit225may adjust the magnitudes of the load currents conducted through the first and second light sources232,234to control the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture206in response to the intensity of the command, for example, to cause the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200to become redder as the intensity is decreased (e.g., dimmed). For example, the control circuit225may receive an intensity command and, in response to the intensity command, control the magnitude of the load currents conducted through the first and second light sources232,234to not only achieve the desired intensity, but also to achieve the associated color temperature of a black body radiator illuminated at the desired intensity (e.g., according to Plank's law). The intensity of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture200may range between a high-end intensity LHE(e.g., a maximum intensity, such as 100%) and a low-end intensity LLE(e.g., a minimum intensity, such as 0.1-10%). In such an example, the control circuit225may be configured to control the second load regulation circuit224such that the second light source234is maintained at a relatively constant intensity level.

FIG.2Bis a block diagram of another example lighting fixture250(e.g., one of the lighting fixtures120-126shown inFIG.1) that may include a controllable-color-temperature load control system260. The controllable-color-temperature load control system260of the lighting fixture250may include a multi-channel driver270and a composite lighting load280. For example, the composite lighting load280may include a first light source282, a second light source284, and a third light source286. The light sources282-286may be discrete-spectrum light sources, continuous-spectrum light sources, and/or hybrid light sources. The controllable-color-temperature load control system260may be configured to control light sources282-286in order to achieve a desired intensity and/or color temperature of the light emitted by the composite lighting load280.

In order to control the color temperature of the light emitted by the composite lighting load280, the multi-channel driver270of the controllable-color-temperature load control system260may include a first load regulation circuit272, a second load regulation circuit274, a third load regulation circuit276, and a control circuit275. The control circuit275may be configured to generate a first, second, and third drive signals VDR1, VDR2, VDR3to control each of the respective load regulation circuits272,274,276in order to adjust the intensity of the respective light source282,284,286. The control signals may be analog signals and/or digital signals. In an example, the control circuit275may be configured to control the intensities of the light sources282,284,286in order to adjust the overall color temperature of the light emitted by the composite lighting load280. The control circuit275may be coupled to a memory279for storing the fixture capability information and/or room capability information of the lighting fixture250. In addition, the memory279may store instructions that are executed by the control circuit275to provide the functions described herein.

The control circuit275may be configured to control (e.g., individually control) the amount of power delivered to the first, second, and third light sources282,284,286to thus control the intensities of the light sources. The control circuit275may be configured to control the first, second, and third load regulation circuits272,274,276to conduct a respective load currents through the respective light sources282,284,286. For example, the light sources282,284,286may be different color LED light sources and the light emitted by the light sources may be mixed together to adjust the color temperature of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture250. The control circuit275may be configured to adjust the intensities of the light sources282,284,286to control the color of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture250within a color gamut of the lighting fixture. For example, the control circuit275may be configured to mix the light emitted by the light sources282,284,286to adjust the color temperature of the light emitted by the composite lighting load280along a black body radiator curve.

The multi-channel driver270may comprise a communication circuit278adapted to be coupled to a communication link (e.g., a digital communication link), such that the control circuit275may be able to transmit and/or receive messages (e.g., digital messages) via the communication link. The multi-channel driver270may be assigned a unique identifier (e.g., a link address) for communication on the communication link. The multi-channel driver220may be configured to communicate with a system controller (e.g., the system controller110), as well as other drivers and control devices, via the communication link. The control circuit275may be configured to receive messages including commands to control the composite lighting load280via the communication circuit278. For example, the communication link may comprise a wired communication link, for example, a digital communication link operating in accordance with one or more predefined communication protocols (such as, for example, one of Ethernet, IP, XML, Web Services, QS, DMX, BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks, and KNX protocols), a serial digital communication link, an RS-485 communication link, an RS-232 communication link, a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) communication link, or a LUTRON ECOSYSTEM communication link. Additionally or alternatively, the digital communication link may comprise a wireless communication link, for example, a radio-frequency (RF), infrared (IR), or optical communication link. Messages may be transmitted on an RF communication link using, for example, one or more of a plurality protocols, such as the LUTRON CLEARCONNECT, WIFI, ZIGBEE, Z-WAVE, THREAD, KNX-RF, and ENOCEAN RADIO protocols.

The control circuit275may be responsive to messages (e.g., digital messages that include the respective link address of the driver) transmitted by the system controller to the multi-channel driver270via the communication link. The control circuit275may be configured to control the light sources282,284,286in response to the messages received via the communication link. The system controller may be configured to transmit messages to the multi-channel driver270for turning light sources282,284,286both on and off (e.g., to turn the lighting fixture250on and off). The system controller may also be configured to transmit a command to the multi-channel driver270for adjusting at least one of the intensity and the color (e.g., the color temperature) of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture250. For example, the command may include a desired intensity (e.g., a requested intensity) and/or a desired color temperature (e.g., a requested color temperature) for the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture250. The control circuit275may adjust the magnitudes of the load currents conducted through the first, second, and third light sources282,284,286to control the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture250to the desired color temperature of the command. The multi-channel driver270may be configured to transmit messages including feedback information via the digital communication link.

During normal operation, the control circuit275may be configured to maintain a relatively consistent runtime for each light source282,284,286in the lighting fixture250. For example, if the first light source282has been illuminated to a greater intensity during a daytime period (e.g., an occupied time period) than second and third light sources, the control circuit275may be configured to turn off or decrease the intensity of the first light source282, and turn on or increase the intensities of the second and third light source284during a nighttime period (e.g., an unoccupied time period). The control circuit275may be configured to operate the first, second, and third light sources282,284,286at approximately the same runtime.

For example, the parts of the controllable-color-temperature load control systems210,260may be located in different devices. For example, the multi-channel driver220of the controllable-color-temperature load control system210may be located external to the lighting fixture200in which the composite lighting load230is mounted. Additionally, the elements of each of the controllable-color-temperature load control systems210,260may be included in the same device (e.g., mounted in one of the lighting fixtures120-126).

Further, the controllable-color-temperature load control systems210,260may each be implemented in a single device or multiple devices. For example, the control circuit225of the multi-channel driver220may be comprised of two (or more) individual control circuits for controlling the individual light sources of the composite lighting load230. The individual control circuits may be in operative communication with each other and may be located in the same or different devices. For example, the individual control circuits may each be configured to control an individual load regulation circuits (e.g., one of the load regulation circuits222,224). Examples of lighting fixtures having a multi-channel driver for load control systems are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0183344, published Jun. 23, 2016, entitled MULTI-CHANNEL LIGHTING FIXTURE HAVING MULTIPLE LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE DRIVERS. One will recognize that other example multi-channel drivers may be used with the systems described herein. In addition, one will recognize that multi-channel drivers may include additional light sources (i.e., more than two or three as described herein).

As previously mentioned, the capabilities of a lighting fixture may be determined during manufacturing of the lighting fixture (e.g., at an OEM using a measurement tool).FIG.3is a simplified block diagram of an example measurement tool300for use by a manufacturer to determine the capabilities of a lighting fixture302(e.g., one of the lighting fixtures120-126ofFIG.1and/or one of the lighting fixtures200,250shown inFIGS.2A and2B). The lighting fixture302may include one or more drivers (e.g., a multi-channel LED driver) and one or more light sources (e.g., LED light engines). The lighting fixture302may be powered from line voltage, and may be coupled to a controller310(e.g., the system controller110) via a communication link312. The communication link312may be a wired or wireless communication link. The controller310may be configured to transmit commands for adjusting the intensity and/or the color (e.g., the color temperature) of the light emitted by the lighting fixture302via the communication link312. Specifically, the controller310may be configured to transmit commands for adjusting the intensities of the individual light sources of the lighting fixture302(e.g., the different colored LEDs).

The measurement tool300may comprise a light collection unit, such as an integrating sphere314, in which the lighting fixture302may be located to collect (e.g., determine) the fixture capability information of the lighting fixture302. The measurement tool300may further comprise a light measurement meter, such as a photo spectrometer316, which is coupled to the integrating sphere314for receiving and analyzing the light emitted by the lighting fixture302. For example, the photo spectrometer316may be configured to measure an operating characteristic of the light emitted by the lighting fixture302(e.g., an intensity, a color, a color temperature, a spectrum, etc.). The photo spectrometer316may be coupled to a processing device320(e.g., a personal computer or a laptop). The processing device320may comprise a processor322for processing the information about the light emitted by the lighting fixture302from the photo spectrometer316. The processor322may be configured to use the information to determine the fixture capability information of the lighting fixture302and store the fixture capability information in a memory324. In addition, the memory324may store instructions that are executed by the processor322to provide the functions described herein. The processing device320may comprise a user interface328for receiving inputs (e.g., via a keyboard and/or a mouse) and for displaying data, such as the fixture capability information of the lighting fixture302(e.g., via a visual display). The processing device320may also comprise a communication circuit326for communicating via a wired or wireless communication link (e.g., an Ethernet communication link).

The processor322may be configured to transmit the fixture capability information to the lighting fixture302via the communication circuit326and the communication link314for storage on a memory of the lighting fixture (e.g., the memory229,279). The processor322may also be configured to transmit the fixture capability information to a remote network device (e.g., a server in the cloud) via the communication circuit326. The processor322may be configured to print a label containing identifying information (e.g., identifiers such as a serial number and/or a barcode). The label may be placed on the lighting fixture302or one of the components of the lighting fixture302and may be used to retrieve the fixture capability information from the remote network device at a later date (e.g., at the time of installation and/or commissioning of the fixture in a load control system). For example, the processor322may be coupled to a printer330where the label containing the identifying information is to be printed. Additionally or alternatively, the measurement tool300may not include the controller310, and the processor322may be configured to communicate directly with the lighting fixture302.

FIG.4is a simplified flowchart of a measurement procedure400for determining the fixture capability information of a lighting fixture (e.g., the lighting fixture302). The measurement procedure400may start at410. The measurement procedure400may be executed using a measurement tool (e.g., the measurement tool300shown inFIG.3), for example, at a manufacturer of the lighting fixture (e.g., an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or a manufacturer that installs discrete-spectrum light sources in the fixture). For example, during the measurement procedure400, the processor322of the measurement toll300may control the controller310to set the lighting fixture302to a first setting, receive a measurement from the photo spectrometer316, and store the reading. Once all readings stored, the processor322may then determine the fixture capability information. The user may be able to enter (e g, manually enter) configuration details of the lighting fixture302(e.g., using a keyboard of the user interface328). Alternatively, one or more steps of the measurement procedure400may be performed during commissioning of the fixture and/or after commissioning of the lighting fixture (e.g., during periodic recalibration throughout an operational life of the lighting fixture). One or more steps of the measurement procedure400may be manually performed by a user of the lighting fixture and/or triggered by an event and automatically performed by a control device.

At412, the lighting fixture may be installed in the measurement tool (e.g., in the integrating sphere314of the measurement tool300). At414, one of the light sources of the lighting fixture may be turned on (e.g., to full intensity, such as 100%) and the other light sources may be turned off (e.g., only one light source of the lighting fixture may be turned on). For example, in response to a command from processor322, the controller310of the measurement tool300may transmit a message including a command to turn on one light source to the lighting fixture302via the communication link312at414of the measurement procedure400. At416, the light output of the lighting fixture may be measured (e.g., the intensity, color, color temperature, spectrum, efficacy, change in efficacy with dimming, etc.). For example, the photo spectrometer316of the measurement tool300may receive and analyze the light emitted from the light fixture302at416and communicate the information to the processor322. In addition, at416, the power consumption of the lighting fixture may be measured (e.g., measured using a power measurement device (not shown) coupled to the line voltage input of the lighting fixture) and/or the power consumption of the light source that is presently on may be determined (e.g., measured and/or reported by the lighting fixture302to the controller312and then to processor322). At418, it may be determined whether there are more light sources in the lighting fixture. If there are more light sources in the lighting fixture at418, the measurement procedure400may loop around to turn off the present light source and turn on the next light source at414and then measure the light output of that next light source at416.

If there are not more light sources in the lighting fixture at418, the fixture capability information of the lighting fixtures may be determined at420using the measured information. For example, the processor322of the measurement tool300may process the data collected from the light output of some (e.g., all) of the light sources of the lighting fixture302to determine the fixture capability information of the lighting fixture302. The fixture capability information may include one or more fixture capability metrics for one or more operating parameters of the lighting fixtures, such as a dimming range, a color temperature range, a maximum color temperature, a minimum color temperature, a color gamut, a spectral power distribution, a power range, a dimming curve, a color mixing curve, a color temperature curve, maximum and minimum lumen outputs per internal light source, power consumption per internal light source, or other fixture capability metrics. At420, a fixture type for the lighting fixture may also be determined (e.g., may be manually entered by a user). The fixture type may include information about a number of channels for the LED driver of the lighting fixture, types of the light sources mounted in the lighting fixture (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources), color type of the discrete light sources mounted in the lighting fixture, and/or the like. Different fixture types may be associated with different fixture capabilities.

At422, a determination may be made as to whether the fixture capability information should be stored in a memory of the lighting fixture and/or be uploaded to a remote network device (e.g., a server in the cloud) for storage at the remote network device. For example, the driver in the lighting fixture may include a memory. If the fixture capability information should be stored in the memory of the lighting fixture at422, the fixture capability information (e.g., the fixture capability information that is determined at420) may be transmitted to the lighting fixture via the controller310for storage in the memory of the lighting fixture at424.

If the fixture capability information should not be stored in the memory of the lighting fixture at422, the fixture capability information may be transmitted to the remote network device at426. Some or all of the fixture capability information may be retrieved by the lighting fixture and/or a system controller (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) at a later time. For such lighting fixtures (or sets of lighting fixtures), the fixture capability information may be stored in connection with identifying information for the fixture (e.g., an identifier such as a serial number and/or a barcode). At428, a label having the identifying information (e.g., the serial number and/or the barcode) may be printed and/or may be affixed (e.g., adhered) to the lighting fixture. In addition, the fixture capability information may be transmitted to both the lighting fixture at424and the remote network device at426for storage at the respective devices. When the fixture capability information is retrieved by the system controller at a later date, the system controller may determine how to determine room capability information based on the fixture capability information obtained for the lighting fixtures (e.g., all lighting fixtures in and/or near a room) and/or use the determined room capability information to control the lighting fixtures.

At430, the lighting fixture may be removed from the measurement tool. If there are more lighting fixtures for which the fixture capability information should be determined and/or stored at432, a determination is made, at434, as to whether the fixture capability information from the lighting fixture that was just determined (e.g., determined as described herein at420) should be copied to other lighting fixtures. If the fixture capability information should be copied at434, a second or another lighting fixture may be installed in the measurement tool at436and the measurement procedure400may loop around to transmit the fixture capability information to the lighting fixture at424or to the remote network device at426. If the fixture capability information should not be copied at434, the measurement procedure400may loop around to determine the fixture capability information of a different (e.g., a second or a third) lighting fixture at412-420. It may be determined whether there are more lighting fixtures for which the fixture capability information should be determined and/or stored. When there are no more lighting fixtures for which the fixture capability information should be determined and/or stored at432, the measurement procedure400exits.

The fixture capability information may also be determined (e.g., measured) during commissioning of the lighting fixture and/or a load control system for control of the lighting fixture (e.g., the load control system100). To determine the fixture capability information of a lighting fixture during commissioning, a measurement tool (e.g., a measurement sensor) may be installed on or near the lighting fixture during commissioning of the lighting fixture and/or the load control system. The measurement tool may include a sensing circuit (e.g., a photo spectrometer) for receiving and analyzing the light emitted by the lighting fixture and a communication circuit for communicating the fixture capability information to the system controller, a network device, and/or another device of the load control system. The system controller may be configured to cause the lighting fixture to turn on each internal light sources (e.g., internal light source) individually, for example, as in414of the measurement procedure400. The measurement tool may measure the light output of the lighting fixture (e.g., as in416of the measurement procedure400). After the light output of some individual light sources (e.g., each individual light source) of the lighting fixture is measured, the measurement tool may process the data to determine the fixture capability information (e.g., as in420of the measurement procedure400) and then transmit the fixture capability information to the system controller and/or a network device. The fixture capability information may be recorded. The network device may display the recorded information, and a user may configure the operation of the lighting fixture via the network device. After the system controller and/or the network device has received the fixture capability information, the measurement tool may then be removed from the lighting fixture or the room. Additionally or alternatively, the measurement tool may transmit the data regarding the light outputs of individual light sources (e.g., all of the individual light sources) of the lighting fixture to the system controller and/or network device, and the system controller and/or network device may be configured to process the data to determine the fixture capability information.

Additionally or alternatively, a lighting fixture may include a permanently-installed measurement sensor (e.g., a fixture sensor) that may be configured to determine the fixture capability information of the lighting fixture at commissioning and/or after commissioning (e.g., to monitor and detect changes in the fixture capability information over the life of the lighting fixture). The measurement sensor may include a communication circuit for transmitting and receiving the RF signals using a proprietary protocol and/or a communication circuit for transmitting and receiving the RF signals using a standard protocol. During commissioning of the load control system, the measurement sensor may be configured to measure the light output of the lighting fixture and/or determine the fixture capability information. The measurement sensor may be configured to transmit the fixture capability information to the system controller and/or network device (e.g., directly to the system controller and/or network device via the RF signals109using the standard protocol). Additionally or alternatively, the measurement sensor may transmit the data regarding light outputs of all of the individual light sources of the lighting fixture to the system controller and/or network device, and the system controller and/or network device may be configured to process the data to determine the fixture capability information.

FIG.5is a simplified flowchart of a configuration procedure500for retrieving fixture capability information of one or more lighting fixtures (e.g., the lighting fixtures120-126,200,250,302) and configuring the operation of the fixtures based on the fixture capability information. For example, the configuration procedure500may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during commissioning of the load control system. The system controller may be configured to determine room capability information in response to the fixture capability information of the lighting fixtures in a room (e.g., all of the lighting fixtures in the room) and limit the operation of the lighting fixtures based on the determined room capability information. The system controller may step through a plurality of rooms in a building and determine room capability information for each room based on the lighting fixtures located in the respective room. One or more steps of the configuration procedure500may be performed during commissioning of the fixture and/or after commissioning of the fixture (e.g., during periodic recalibration throughout an operational life of the fixture).

The configuration procedure500for determining room capability information may start at510. At512, the system controller may transmit one or more messages including a query for fixture capability information of the lighting fixtures in a present room. For example, the lighting fixtures may have been previously included in various rooms in a database of the system controller that defines the operation of a load control system. The system controller may be able to retrieve identifiers for the drivers of the lighting fixtures in the present room from the database. If the lighting fixtures have the fixture capability information stored in memory in the drivers of the lighting fixtures, the system controller may transmit the query to the drivers in the lighting fixtures at512, and the drivers may respond with the fixture capability information. The system controller may also be able to retrieve identifiers for the drivers of the lighting fixtures in the present room from identifying information (e.g., serial numbers and/or barcodes) on the lighting fixtures and/or drivers in the lighting fixtures. If the fixture capability information is stored in a cloud server, the system controller may transmit the query to the cloud server using the identifying information at512, and the cloud server may respond with the fixture capability information. Additionally or alternatively, a network device (e.g., the network device160) may be configured to retrieve the identifying information (e.g., by scanning a barcode), transmit the query to the cloud server using the identifying information, and forward the fixture capability information from the cloud server to the system controller.

At514, the system controller may receive the fixture capability information for the lighting fixtures in the room (e.g., from the lighting fixtures, the cloud server, and/or the network device). Further, the system controller may be configured to obtain the fixture capability information of one or more of the lighting fixtures (e.g., unconfigurable lighting fixtures) from a measurement sensor during commissioning of the load control system. At516, the system controller may store the fixture capability information of the lighting fixtures in the room in its memory and/or database. The system controller may analyze the fixture capability information of the fixtures in the room at518and establish the room capability information for the room based on the analyzed fixture capability information at520.

It may be determined whether there are more rooms for which the room capability information is to be set. If there are more rooms for which the room capability information needs to be set at522, the system controller may move to the next room at524and the configuration procedure500may loop around to analyze the fixture capability information of the lighting fixtures in the next room at518and establish the room capability information at520. When there are no more rooms for which the room capability information is to be set at522, the configuration procedure500may exit.

FIG.6Ais an example communication flow600showing communications between a system controller602(e.g., the system controller110) and lighting fixtures604,606(e.g., lighting fixtures120-126,200,250,302) to retrieve fixture capability information from the lighting fixtures and then control the lighting fixtures based on the fixture capability information. Each of the lighting fixtures604,606may include, for example, a multi-channel driver that may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. At610, the system controller602may transmit (e.g., broadcast) a message (e.g., a query message) to request fixture capability information from the lighting fixtures604,606. For example, the message may include identifiers for the lighting fixtures604,606that are located in a single room. One or more of the lighting fixtures604,606may each retrieve fixture capability information from its memory, and send the retrieved fixture capability information to the system controller602at612and614. At616, the system controller602may determine room capability information based on the fixture capability information received from the lighting fixtures604,606.

The system controller602may transmit control instructions to control the lighting fixtures604,606after the system controller receives the fixture capability information from the lighting fixtures. At618, the system controller602may receive a message including, for example, a requested color temperature, from a control device, such as a remote control608that may receive a control input from a user (e.g., in response to an actuation of a button). At620, the system controller602may determine and generate control instructions in response to the requested color temperature based on the room capability information. At622and624, the system controller602may transmit a message that may include the control instructions to the lighting fixtures604,606.

FIG.6Bis an example communication flow630showing communications between a system controller632(e.g., the system controller110) and lighting fixtures634,636(e.g., lighting fixtures120-126,200,250,302) to retrieve fixture capability information from a cloud server638. One or more of the lighting fixtures634,636may include, for example, a multi-channel driver. First, the system controller632may obtain identifying information of the lighting fixture for which the fixture capability information is to be retrieved. For example, at640, a user may scan a barcode on a label on the first lighting fixture634using a network device639to retrieve an identifier (e.g., a serial number) of the lighting fixture. The network device639may transmit the identifier to the system controller632at642. In addition, the system controller632may retrieve the identifier from a database that defines the operation of the lighting fixture634,636.

At644, the system controller632may send a message (e.g., a query message) to the cloud server638to request fixture capability information for the first lighting fixture634(e.g., by including the identifier for the first lighting fixture in the query message). At646, the cloud server638may transmit the fixture capability information for the first lighting fixture634to the system controller632. At648, the system controller632may store the information and may also transmit the received fixture capability information to the first lighting fixture634(e.g., if the driver in the first lighting fixture634has a memory and/or requires the fixture capability information to operate).

The process may then be repeated for the second lighting fixture636. At650, a user may scan a barcode on a label on the second lighting fixture636using the network device639to retrieve an identifier of the second lighting fixture636. The network device639may transmit the identifier to the system controller632at652. The system controller632may send a message to the cloud server638to request fixture capability information for the second lighting fixture636at654, and the cloud server638may transmit the fixture capability information for the second lighting fixture636to the system controller632at656. At658, the system controller632may store the information and may also transmit the received fixture capability information to the second lighting fixture636(e.g., if the driver in the second lighting fixture636has a memory and/or requires the fixture capability information to operate).

After the system controller632has received the fixture capability information for the lighting fixtures634,636, the system controller632may determine room capability information based on the fixture capability information received from the lighting fixtures (e.g., similar to616inFIG.6A). The system controller632may then generate and transmit control instructions to control the lighting fixtures634,636, for example, in response to receiving a command to adjust the color temperatures of the lighting fixtures (e.g., similar to618-624inFIG.6A).

FIG.6Cis an example communication flow660showing communications between a system controller662(e.g., the system controller110) and a lighting fixture664(e.g., lighting fixtures120-126,200,250,302) to retrieve fixture capability information of the lighting fixture from a measurement sensor665. The lighting fixture664may include, for example, a multi-channel driver. At670, the system controller662may transmit a message (e.g., a query message) to the measurement sensor665to request fixture capability information of the lighting fixture664. For example, the measurement sensor665may be temporarily installed during commissioning of the lighting fixture664. The measurement sensor665may be installed or placed such that the measurement sensor665may accurately measure the light output of the fixture (e.g., placed either on or inside of the lighting fixture and/or on a surface from which the light of the lighting fixture is shining) The measurement sensor665may be permanently installed (e.g., as a fixture sensor on or inside of the lighting fixture664).

At672, the system controller662may transmit control instructions to the lighting fixture664. For example, the system controller may transmit control instructions to turn on only one of the light sources of the lighting fixture664at672. At674, the multi-channel driver of the lighting fixture664may control the light sources in response to the received control instructions. At676, the measurement sensor665(e.g., in response to a command from the system controller) may measure the light output of the lighting fixture664(e.g., with only one light source on). At678, the system controller662may once again transmit controller instructions to the lighting fixture664, for example, to turn on another one of the light sources of the lighting fixture664individually. The control instructions transmitted at678may differ from the control instructions transmitted at672. The multi-channel driver of the lighting fixture664may control the light sources at680, and the measurement sensor665may measure the light output of the lighting fixture664at682. The system controller662may continue to transmit control instructions and the measurement sensor665may continue to measure the light output until the lighting fixture664has been run through the extent of its controllability (e.g., until each light source of the lighting fixture has been individually turned on and/or dimmed from high through low end).

At684, the measurement sensor665(e.g., in response to a command from the system controller) may determine the fixture capability information for the lighting fixture664, for example, based on the light output measurements recorded at676and682. At686, the measurement sensor665may transmit the fixture capability information to the system controller662. After the system controller662has received the fixture capability information for the lighting fixture664as well as other lighting fixtures in the room, the system controller662may determine room capability information based on the fixture capability information received from the lighting fixtures (e.g., similar to616inFIG.6A). The system controller662may then generate and transmit control instructions to control the lighting fixture664(and other lighting fixtures), for example, in response to receiving a command to adjust the color temperature of the lighting fixtures (e.g., similar to618-624inFIG.6A). Alternatively, the measurement sensor665may transmit the measured light output to the system controller662and the system controller may determine the fixture capability information from the measurements provided by the measurement sensor.

FIG.7is an example flowchart of a room capabilities procedure700for determining at least a portion of the room capability information for a room based on fixture capability information for some or all of the lighting fixtures in the room. For example, the room capabilities procedure700may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during commissioning of the load control system (e.g., as shown at518and520of the configuration procedure500inFIG.5). As described above, the system controller may obtain fixture capability information for some or all lighting fixtures (e.g., at shown at512-516of the configuration procedure500inFIG.5). For example, a room may include one or more lighting fixtures (e.g., as shown inFIG.1). The system controller may obtain fixture capability information for each lighting fixture. The fixture capability information of each lighting fixture may include a correlated color temperature (CCT) range within which the lighting fixture may be capable of operating. The color temperature range for each lighting fixture may range between a warm-white (WW) color temperature TWWand a cool-white (CW) color temperature TCW. The system controller may determine common characteristics of the lighting fixtures in a room based on the fixture capability information.

The room capabilities procedure700may start at710. At712, the system controller may retrieve fixture capability information related to color temperature ranges for each of the lighting fixtures within a room. For example, the color temperature range for each lighting fixture may range between a warm-white color temperature value TWW[n] and a cool-white color temperature value TCW[n], where each fixture is represented by the variable n (e.g., an integer) that ranges from one to a total number NFIXTURESof lighting fixtures in the room.

At714, the system controller may set the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMto the maximum value of the warm-white color temperature values TWW[n] of all lighting fixtures in the room. At716, the system controller may set the cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMto the minimum value of the cool-white color temperature values TCW[n] of all lighting fixtures in the room. For example, the system controller may compare the warm-white color temperature values TWW[n] of all the lighting fixtures and/or the cool-white color temperature values TCW[n] of all lighting fixtures. The system controller may then determine room capability information for the lighting fixtures, for example, a room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMand/or a room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOM.

For example, a first lighting fixture may be characterized by a color temperature range between a warm-white color temperature value TWW[1] of 3000 K and a cool-white color temperature value TCW[1] of 5000 K. A second lighting fixture may be characterized by a color temperature range between a warm-white color temperature value TWW[2] of 2000 K and a cool-white color temperature value TCW[2] of 4000 K. The least common range of 3000-5000 K and the 2000-4000 K is 3000-4000 K. The system controller may set the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMto 3000 K and the room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMto 4000 K. The system controller may then limit the controlled color temperature range of all of the lighting fixtures in the room to a value between the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMand the room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOM(e.g., between 3000-4000 K).

FIG.8Ais a diagram of a portion of a chromaticity coordinate system802showing a section of a black body radiator curve810. The chromaticity coordinate system802may have a chromaticity coordinate x along the x-axis and a chromaticity coordinate y along the y-axis. Each coordinate (x, y) in the chromaticity coordinate system802may represent a different color in the red-green-blue (RGB) color space (e.g., the CIE 1931 RGB color space). Each coordinate along the block body radiator curve810may represent a “white” color having a different color temperature. The “white” colors along the black body radiator curve810may range from a warm-white color temperature (e.g., 2000 K) to a cool-white color temperature (e.g., 10,000 K), for example, corresponding to the color of light radiated by a black body heated to that respective temperature. The black body radiator curve810is intersected by iso temperature lines (e.g., such as example lines812-818shownFIG.8A), which are straight lines that represent colors that are visually characterized by the same color temperature.

The system controller may control lighting fixtures in a room to adjust the light emitted by the lighting fixtures along or close to the black body radiator curve. To emit light at different colors and color temperatures, multiple light sources of a lighting fixture may be characterized by different colors (e.g., having different chromaticity coordinates). The colors and color temperatures of a cumulative light that may be emitted by the lighting fixture may be limited by the number and colors (e.g., locations of the chromaticity coordinates) of the light sources in the lighting fixture. For example, in a lighting fixture that has two light sources at different color temperatures (e.g., such as the lighting fixture200shown inFIG.2A), the possible colors of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture may range along a line that extends between the chromaticity coordinates of the two light sources on the chromaticity coordinate system.

For example, as shown inFIG.8A, a first lighting fixture may have a first light source (e.g., a warm-white light source) characterized by a warm-white chromaticity coordinate820and a second light source (e.g., a cool-white light source) characterized by a cool-white chromaticity coordinate822. The first lighting fixture may be capable of generating light at color temperatures that range along a color range line824that extends between the warm-white and cool-white chromaticity coordinates820,822. The color range line824may be close to, but not exactly on, the black body radiator curve810, so that the first lighting fixture can approximate the light output of a black body radiator.

The first lighting fixture may be located in a room with a second lighting fixture that has different light sources than the first lighting fixture. Even though the first and second lighting fixtures may be controlled to the same color temperature (e.g., on the same iso temperature line), the difference in the actual color of the lighting fixtures may be noticeable to the average human eye. For example, the second lighting fixture may be capable of generating light at color temperatures that range along a color range line834that extends between a warm-white chromaticity coordinate830and a cool-white chromaticity coordinate832as shown inFIG.8A.

Each coordinate on the chromaticity coordinate system may be characterized by a MacAdam ellipse, which defines a region containing colors which are indistinguishable to the average human eye (e.g., such as example ellipses842-848shownFIG.8A). For example, the first and second lighting fixtures may be controlled to the same color temperature along the iso temperature line812, which runs through the warm-white chromaticity coordinate830of the second lighting fixture as shown inFIG.8A. The first lighting fixture may be controlled to a first color defined by a chromaticity coordinate825at the intersection of the iso temperature812and the color range line824. The second lighting fixture may be controlled to a second color defined by the chromaticity coordinate825at the intersection of the iso temperature812and the color range line834(e.g., the warm-white chromaticity coordinate830of the second lighting fixture). The warm-white chromaticity coordinate830of the second lighting fixture may be characterized by the MacAdam ellipse842, which is centered at the warm-white chromaticity coordinate830. However, since the chromaticity coordinate of the first color of the first lighting fixture is outside the MacAdam ellipse842of the second color of the second lighting fixture, the difference between the first and second color may be noticeable to the average human eye even though the first and second lighting fixtures are being controlled to the same color temperature along the iso temperature line812. The size of a MacAdam ellipse may be referred to as a number of steps, where each step represents a standard deviation from the target color. For example, a 1-step MacAdam ellipse has a boundary that represents one standard deviation from the target color.

The system controller may be configured to set the room capability information of the first and second lighting fixtures to ensure that the colors of the first and second lighting fixtures are within a MacAdam ellipse of each other when the lighting fixtures are controlled to the same color temperature, where the MacAdam ellipse is characterized by a number of steps, e.g., a 1-step or 2-step MacAdam ellipse.FIG.8Bis an example flowchart of a room capabilities procedure800for determining room capability information for a room to ensure that same color temperatures of the first and second lighting fixtures are within a MacAdam ellipse of each other. For example, the room capabilities procedure800may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during commissioning of the load control system (e.g., as shown at518and520of the configuration procedure500inFIG.5).

The room capabilities procedure800may start at850. At852, the system controller may retrieve color temperature range information for some or all lighting fixtures within a room from the fixture capability information. For example, the room may include the first lighting fixture and the second lighting fixture discussed above with reference toFIG.8A. The first light fixture may be characterized by a color temperature range between a warm-white color temperature value TWW[1] and a cool-white color temperature value TCW[1], and the second lighting fixture may be characterized by a color temperature range between a warm-white color temperature value TWW[2] and a cool-white color temperature value TCW[2]. At853, the system controller may retrieve a desired step size n for the MacAdam ellipses. For example, the desired step size n may be set based on a desired tolerance for the differences in the color of the first and second light fixtures.

The system controller may first determine a room warm-white color temperature TWW-ROOMfor the warm-white end of the color temperature range. At854, the system controller may initially set the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMto the maximum value of the warm-white color temperature values TWW[1], TWW[2] of both of the lighting fixtures. For example, as shown inFIG.8A, the iso temperature line812may represent the room warm-white color temperature TWW-ROOM. At856, the system controller may determine chromaticity coordinates of the colors of the first and second lighting fixtures at the initial room warm-white color temperature TWW-ROOM. For example, the system controller may determine a first chromaticity coordinate (x1, y1) at the intersection of the iso temperature812and the first color range line824(e.g., as shown inFIG.8A), and a second chromaticity coordinate (x2, y2) at the intersection of the iso temperature812and the second color range line834(e.g., the warm-white chromaticity coordinate830of the second lighting fixture).

The chromaticity coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) at the initial room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMmay or may not be within an n-step MacAdam ellipse of each other. For example, as shown inFIG.8A, the first chromaticity coordinate (x1, y1) at the intersection of the iso temperature812and the first color range line824is outside of the MacAdam ellipse842centered at the second chromaticity coordinate (x2, y2) at the intersection of the iso temperature812and the second color range line834(e.g., the warm-white chromaticity coordinate830of the second lighting fixture).

At858, the system controller may determine whether the chromaticity coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are within an n-step MacAdam ellipses of each other. For example, the system controller may determine whether the first chromaticity coordinate (x1, y1) is within a 2-step MacAdam ellipse centered at the second chromaticity coordinate (x2, y2) and/or whether the second chromaticity coordinate (x2, y2) is within a 2-step MacAdam ellipse centered at the first chromaticity coordinate (x1, y1) at858.

If the chromaticity coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are not within an n-step MacAdam ellipse of each other at858, the system controller may increase the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMby an increment value ΔINC(e.g., one Kelvin) at860and loop back to856to determine updated chromaticity coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) of the colors of the first and second lighting fixtures at the increased room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMat856. The system controller may continue increasing the room warm-white color temperature TWW-ROOMat860and updating the chromaticity coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) at856until the chromaticity coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are within an n-step MacAdam ellipse of each other at858. For example, the final warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMmay be represented by the iso temperature line814, and the final chromaticity coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) may be at chromaticity coordinates826,836as shown inFIG.8A, which are within an n-step MacAdam ellipse844of each other.

When the chromaticity coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are within an n-step MacAdam ellipse of each other at858, the system controller may determine a room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMfor the cool-white end of the color temperature range. The system controller may initially set the room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMto the minimum value of the cool-white color temperature values TCW[1] and TCW[2] of both of the lighting fixtures at862. For example, as shown inFIG.8A, the iso temperature line818may represent the room cool-white color temperature TCW-ROOM. At864, the system controller may determine chromaticity coordinates of the colors of the first and second lighting fixtures at the initial room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOM. For example, the system controller may determine a third chromaticity coordinate (x3, y3) at the intersection of the iso temperature line818and the first color range line824(e.g., as shown inFIG.8A), and a fourth chromaticity coordinate (x4, y4) at the intersection of the iso temperature818and the second color range line834(e.g., the cool-white chromaticity coordinate832of the second lighting fixture).

The chromaticity coordinates (x3, y3) and (x4, y4) at the initial room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMmay or may not be within an n-step MacAdam ellipse. For example, as shown inFIG.8A, the third chromaticity coordinate (x3, y3) at the intersection of the iso temperature818and the first color range line824is outside the MacAdam ellipse848centered at the fourth chromaticity coordinate (x4, y4) at the intersection of the iso temperature818and the second color range line834.

At866, the system controller may determine whether the chromaticity coordinates (x3, y3) and (x4, y4) are within an n-step MacAdam ellipse of each other. For example, the system controller may determine whether the third chromaticity coordinate (x3, y3) is within a 2-step MacAdam ellipse centered at the fourth chromaticity coordinate (x4, y4) and/or whether the fourth chromaticity coordinate (x4, y4) is within a 2-step MacAdam ellipse centered at the third chromaticity coordinate (x3, y3) at866. If the chromaticity coordinates (x3, y3) and (x4, y4) are within an n-step MacAdam ellipse of each other at866, the system controller may decrease the cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMby a decrement value ΔDEC(e.g., one Kelvin) at868and determine updated chromaticity coordinates (x3, y3) and (x4, y4) of the colors of the first and second lighting fixtures at the decreased room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMat864. The system controller may continue decreasing the room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMat868and updating the chromaticity coordinates (x3, y3) and (x4, y5) at864until the chromaticity coordinates (x3, y3) and (x4, y4) are within an n-step MacAdam ellipse of each other at866, at which time, the room capabilities procedure800may exit. For example, the final cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMmay be represented by the iso temperature line816, and the final chromaticity coordinates (x3, y3) and (x4, y4) may be at chromaticity coordinates828,838as shown inFIG.8A.

The system controller may save the final values of the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMand the room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMin the room capability information for the first and second lighting fixtures. In addition, the system controller may store the final chromaticity coordinates to limit the first lighting fixture between the first chromaticity coordinate (x1, y1) and the third chromaticity coordinate (x3, y3), and to limit the second lighting fixture between the second chromaticity coordinate (x2, y2) and the fourth chromaticity coordinate (x4, y4). The system controller may send the final values of the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMand room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMand/or the final chromaticity coordinates to the respective lighting fixtures.

In a lighting fixture that has three or more light sources at different colors or color temperatures (e.g., such as the lighting fixture250shown inFIG.2B), the possible colors of the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture may range with an areas defined by the chromaticity coordinates of the multiple light sources on the chromaticity coordinate system.FIG.9Ais a diagram of a portion of a chromaticity coordinate system902illustrating color gamuts of lighting fixtures that each have three light sources. For example, a first lighting fixture may have a three light sources characterized by chromaticity coordinates912that may be connected by gamut-edge lines914to define a first color gamut910(e.g., a triangular color space). Similarly, the second and third lighting fixtures may each have respective chromaticity coordinates922,932that may be connected by respective gamut-edge lines924,934to define second and third color gamuts920,930, respectively. The first, second, and third lighting fixture may each be capable of generating light at color and/or color temperatures that are located at chromaticity coordinates with the area of the respective color gamuts910,920,930. Since each lighting fixture is able to emit light at a color that falls outside the color gamuts of the other lighting fixtures, the system controller may be configured to set the room capability information of the first, second, and third lighting fixtures to ensure that the colors of the first, second, and third lighting fixtures are limited to an overlapping color gamut940, which may define a room color gamut for the lighting fixtures in the room. The overlapping color gamut940may be defined by the chromaticity coordinates942at the corners of the overlapping color gamut.

FIG.9Bis an example flowchart of a room capabilities procedure900for determining room capability information for a room to ensure that the colors of the first, second, and third lighting fixtures in the room are limited to an overlapping color gamut of the color gamuts of the multiple lighting fixtures. For example, the room capabilities procedure900may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during commissioning of the load control system (e.g., as shown at518and520of the configuration procedure500inFIG.5). The room capabilities procedure900may start at950. At952, the system controller may retrieve color gamut information for some or all lighting fixtures within a room from fixture capability information. For example, the system controller may retrieve the chromaticity coordinates that define the area of the color gamut (e.g., the chromaticity coordinates at the corners of the gamut) at952(e.g., the chromaticity coordinates912,922,932of the respective color gamuts910,920,930shown inFIG.9A). At954, the system controller may determine the overlapping color gamut of the color gamuts of the multiple lighting fixtures in the room (e.g., the overlapping gamut940shown inFIG.9A). At956, the system controller may determine the chromaticity coordinates of the corners of the overlapping color gamut (e.g., the chromaticity coordinates942shown inFIG.9A), before the room capabilities procedure900exits.

The system controller may also be configured to set a color mixing curve (e.g., a color temperature tuning curve) in the room capability information of a room. If all of the lighting fixtures in the room are configurable, the system controller may be configured to set the color mixing curve to a desired color mixing curve (e.g., that may be selected by a user). The system controller may be configured to adjust the color mixing curve to ensure that the curve does not go outside the color gamut of any of the lighting fixtures. If there are unconfigurable lighting fixtures in the room, the system controller may be configured to match the color mixing curve to that of the lowest performing lighting fixture in the room.

FIG.10is an example flowchart of a mixing curve configuration procedure1000for establishing a room color mixing curve that may be used by the lighting fixtures (e.g., all of the lighting fixtures) in a room. For example, the room capabilities procedure1000may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during commissioning of the load control system (e.g., as shown at518and520of the configuration procedure500inFIG.5). The room capabilities procedure1000may start at1010. The system controller may determine whether there are unconfigurable fixtures in the room. If there are not unconfigurable fixtures in the room at1012, the system controller may set the room color mixing source relatively equal to a desired color mixing curve at1014. If there are unconfigurable lighting fixtures in the room at1012, the system controller may determine what type of configurable lighting fixtures are in the room. The system controller may also determine whether the unconfigurable lighting fixtures can only be controlled to a static (e.g., fixed) color temperature. If the unconfigurable lighting fixtures can only be controlled to a static (e.g., fixed) color temperature at1016, the system controller may set the room color mixing curve as a constant value at the static color temperature of the uncontrollable lighting fixtures at1018. The system controller may determine whether the unconfigurable lighting fixtures can only be controlled according to a fixed color mixing curve. If the unconfigurable lighting fixtures can only be controlled according to a fixed color mixing curve at1020, the system controller may set the room color mixing curve equal to the fixed color mixing curve at1022.

After setting the room color mixing curve at one or more of1012,1018, or1022, the system controller may determine whether the resulting room color mixing curve is entirely within a room color gamut or extends outside the room color gamut at1024. If the room color mixing curve is entirely within the room color gamut at1024, the system controller may not modify the room color mixing curve, and the mixing curve configuration procedure1000may exit. If the room color mixing curve extends outside the room color gamut at1024, the system controller may adjust the room color mixing curve to be within the room color gamut at1026, before the mixing curve configuration procedure1000exits.

According to another example, a lighting fixture may be configured to operate in a power-limiting mode. For example, the lighting fixture may be configured to ensure that the power consumed by the light sources and/or the LED driver of the lighting fixture does not exceed a maximum power threshold PMAXacross the color temperature range of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture may also be configured to control the light output of the lighting fixture to a constant light intensity LCNST(e.g., a constant lumen output) when operating in the power-limiting mode. For example, the lighting fixture may be configured with the constant light intensity LCNSTduring manufacturing of the lighting fixture (e.g., using the measurement tool300at an OEM). After installation, the lighting fixture may be configured to control the light output of the lighting fixture to the constant light intensity LCNSTas the color temperature of the lighting fixture is adjusted between the fixture warm-white color temperature value TWWand the fixture cool-white color temperature value TCWof the lighting fixture.

In addition, the lighting fixture may be configured with the constant light intensity LCNSTduring commissioning (e.g., after the room capability information has been determined), such that the lighting fixture is configured to control the light output of the lighting fixture to the constant light intensity LCNSTas the color temperature of the lighting fixture is adjusted between the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMand the room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMThe constant light intensity LCNSTmay also function as a maximum light intensity for the lighting fixture (e.g., the lighting fixture may be dimmed below the constant light intensity LCNST)

FIG.11Aillustrates example plots of a power consumption PFIXTUREand a light intensity LFIXTUREwith respect to a correlated color temperature TFIXTUREof a lighting fixture when operating in the power-limiting mode. As shown, the light intensity LFIXTUREof the lighting fixture may be held constant at the constant light intensity LCNSTas the color temperature TFIXTUREis adjusted across the color temperature range of the lighting fixture (e.g., between an endpoint warm-white color temperature value TWW-ENDand an endpoint cool-white color temperature value TCW-END. The power consumption for the lighting fixture may peak at a particular color temperature TMAX-PWR. The constant light intensity LCNSTmay be chosen such that the power consumption PFIXTUREof the lighting fixture at the color temperature TMAX-PWRdoes not exceed the maximum power threshold PMAX.

FIG.11Bis an example flowchart of a power-limiting mode configuration procedure1100for determining a constant light intensity LCNSTto which a lighting fixture may be controlled to limit the power consumption of the lighting fixture below a maximum power threshold PMAX. For example, the power-limiting mode configuration procedure1100may be executed by a processing device (e.g., the system controller310and/or the processing device320of the measurement tool300) during manufacturing of the lighting fixture. In addition, the power-limiting mode configuration procedure1100may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during commissioning of the load control system. The power-limiting mode configuration procedure1100may start at1110. At1112, the processing device may retrieve a color mixing curve for the lighting fixture. For example, the color mixing curve may be stored in memory in the lighting fixture and/or may be determined during commissioning of the lighting fixture (e.g., during the mixing curve configuration procedure1000shown inFIG.10).

At1114, the processing device may calculate the power consumption of the lighting fixture at various (e.g., each) color temperature between the endpoint warm-white color temperature value TWW-ENDand the endpoint cool-white color temperature value TCW-END. The endpoint warm-white color temperature value TWW-ENDand the endpoint cool-white color temperature value TCW-ENDmay be the fixture warm-white color temperature value TWWand the fixture cool-white color temperature value TCWof the lighting fixture, respectively (e.g., when the power-limiting mode configuration procedure1100is executed during manufacturing of the lighting fixture). The endpoint warm-white color temperature value TWW-ENDand the endpoint cool-white color temperature value TCW-ENDmay be the room warm-white color temperature value TWW-ROOMand the room cool-white color temperature value TCW-ROOMof the lighting fixture, respectively (e.g., when the power-limiting mode configuration procedure1100is executed during or after commissioning of the lighting fixture). The processing device may calculate the power consumption at1114using power consumption information of individual light sources of the lighting fixture that are included in the fixture capability information.

At1116, the processing device may identify the color temperature that resulted in the highest power consumption calculated at1114. At1118, the processing device may identify the highest intensity level at the identified color temperature that causes the power consumption to be less than or equal to the maximum power threshold PMAX(e.g., the highest power consumption to be less than or equal to the maximum power threshold PMAX). At1120, the processing device may set the intensity level identified at1118as the constant light intensity LCNSTto which the lighting fixture may be controlled during normal operation, and the power-limiting mode configuration procedure1100may exit.

FIG.12is an example flowchart of a power-limiting mode configuration procedure1200for determining light intensities to which a lighting fixture may be controlled to limit the power consumption of the lighting fixture below a maximum power threshold PMAX. For example, the power-limiting mode configuration procedure1200may be executed by a processing device (e.g., the system controller110, the system controller310, and/or the processing device320) during manufacturing of the lighting fixture and/or during commissioning of the load control system. The power-limiting mode configuration procedure1200may be executed, for example, to determine an intensity to which a lighting fixture may be controlled to maximize the light output while limiting the power consumption below the maximum power threshold PMAXat each color temperature between the endpoint warm-white color temperature value TWW-ENDand the endpoint cool-white color temperature value TCW-END.

The power-limiting mode configuration procedure1200may start at1210. At1212, the processing device may set a present color temperature TPRESrelatively equal to one of the endpoint color temperatures, e.g., the endpoint warm-white color temperature value TWW-ENDor the endpoint cool-white color temperature value TCW-END. At1214, the processing device may determine the mixture of light sources (e.g., the intensity of each light source in the lighting fixture) that maximizes the lumen output at the present color temperature TPRES(e.g., by stepping through all mixtures of light sources and calculating the lumen output at each mixture). At1216, the processing device may determine the power consumption of the lighting fixture when the light sources are at the mixture of light intensities that maximizes the lumen output at the present color temperature TPRES(e.g., as determined at1214). At1218, the processing device may determine whether the power consumption determined at1216exceeds the maximum power threshold PMAX. If the power consumption determined at1216does not exceed the maximum power threshold PMAXat1218, the processing device may store the mixture of light sources determined at1214for the present color temperature TPRESin memory at1220.

If the power consumption determined at1216exceeds the maximum power threshold PMAXat1218, the processing device may determine a different mixture of light sources that decreases the power consumption below the maximum power threshold PMAXat1222and store the different mixture of light sources determined at1214for the present color temperature TPRESin memory at1220. For example, the processing device may decrease the intensities of all of the light sources in the lighting fixture while maintaining the same mixture (e.g., same ratios) of the intensities of the light sources to maintain the same color until the power consumption falls below the maximum power threshold PMAXat1222.

At1224, the processing device may determine whether there are more color temperatures between the endpoint warm-white color temperature value TWW-ENDand the endpoint cool-white color temperature value TCW-ENDto process. If there are more color temperatures between the endpoint warm-white color temperature value TWW-ENDand the endpoint cool-white color temperature value TCW-ENDto process at1224, the processing device may set the present color temperature TPRESrelatively equal to the next color temperature at1226and determine the mixture of light sources that maximizes the lumen output at the present color temperature TPRESat1214. If there are no more color temperatures to process at1224, the power-limiting mode configuration procedure1200may end.

FIG.13is an example flowchart of a control procedure1300for controlling one or more lighting fixtures using room capability information. For example, the control procedure1300may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during normal operation of the load control system. The control procedure1300may start at1310, for example, when the system controller receives control instructions (e.g., a command for adjusting the intensity and/or color temperature of the lighting fixtures). If, at1312, any lighting fixtures are to be turned on or turned off in response to the control instructions received at1310, the system controller may adjust the room capability information based on the lighting fixtures that will be on after the execution of the control instructions at1314.

At1316, the system controller may control the lighting fixtures in response to the received control instructions based on the adjusted room capability information, and the control procedure1300may end. For example, the system controller may determine one or more commands for the lighting fixtures and transmit the commands to the lighting fixtures at1316. If no lighting fixtures are changing state (e.g., from off to on or from on to off) at1312, the system controller may control the lighting fixtures in response to the received control instructions based on the existing room capability information at1318, and the control procedure1300may end.

FIG.14is an example flowchart of a control procedure1400for controlling one or more lighting fixtures using room capability information. For example, the control procedure1400may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during normal operation of the load control system. The system controller may execute the control procedure1400periodically and/or in response to receiving control instructions (e.g., a command for adjusting the intensity and/or color temperature of the lighting fixtures). The control procedure1400may start at1410. At1412, the system controller may determine whether the present room capabilities are within a desired operating range. If the present room capabilities are within a desired operating range (e.g., if the present color temperature of the lighting fixtures as set by the room capability information is within a desired color temperature range) at1412, the control procedure1400may exit.

If the present room capabilities are not within a desired operating range at1412, the system controller may attempt to turn off low-performing lighting fixtures (e.g., lighting fixtures that have a small color temperature range or color gamut, and/or can only be controlled to a static color temperature or controlled according to a fixed color mixing curve). At1414, the system controller may determine whether the low-performing lighting fixtures can be turned off without dropping below a minimum intensity. If the low-performing lighting fixtures can be turned off without dropping below a minimum intensity at1414, the system controller may turn off the low-performing lighting fixtures at1416and adjust the room capability information based on the lighting fixtures that will be on after the execution of the control instructions at1418, before the control procedure1400exits.

If the low-performing lighting fixtures cannot be turned off without dropping below a minimum intensity at1414, the system controller may transmit a message to a network device (e.g., the mobile device160shown inFIG.1) to cause the network device to display information regarding the present room capabilities and the possible room capabilities if the low-performing lighting fixtures are turned off at1420. For example, the network device may visually display the present color temperature range (e.g., a limited color temperature range) and a possible color temperature range that may be achieved if the low-performing lighting fixtures are turned off based on the information received from the system controller. At1420, the network device may also prompt the user to input whether the low-performing lighting fixtures may be turned off. If the system controller receives a confirmation that the low-performing lighting fixtures may be turned off at1422, the system controller may turn off the low-performing lighting fixtures at1416and adjust the room capability information based on the lighting fixtures that will be on after the execution of the control instructions at1418. If the system controller does not receive a confirmation that the low-performing lighting fixtures may be turned off at1422, the control procedure1400may end.

FIG.15is an example flowchart of an adjustment procedure1500for adjusting room capability information in response to updated fixture capability information from one or more lighting fixtures in a room. For example, the adjustment procedure1500may be executed by a system controller of a load control system (e.g., the system controller110of the load control system100) during normal operation of the load control system. The adjustment procedure1500may be executed, for example, periodically by the system controller to determine if the fixture capability information for one or more of the lighting fixtures in a room has changed (e.g., as the lighting fixtures age and/or in response to temperature changes). The adjustment procedure1500may start at1510. The system controller may transmit a query for updated fixture capability information for lighting fixtures in a room at1512, and may receive fixture capability information for one or more lighting fixtures in the room at1514. For example, the system controller may be configured to receive the updated fixture capability information from the lighting fixtures, and/or from a measurement tool, such as, a permanently-installed fixture sensor (e.g., the measurement sensor166) and/or a temporary measurement tool (e.g., the mobile measurement device164).

At1516, a determination may be made as to whether the fixture capability information has changed for any of the lighting fixtures. For example, the system controller may determine if one or more of the fixture capability metrics has changed by a predetermined amount (e.g., 5%) as compared to the previously-stored value for the fixture capability metric. If the fixture capability information has changed for one or more of the lighting fixtures at1516, the system controller may store the updated fixture capability information at1518and adjust the room capability information for the room based on the updated fixture capability information at1520, before the adjustment procedure1500ends. If the fixture capability information has not changed for the lighting fixtures in the room at1516, the adjustment procedure1500may simply exit.

FIG.16is a block diagram illustrating an example system controller1600as described herein. The system controller1600may include a control circuit1602for controlling the functionality of the system controller1600. The control circuit1602may include one or more general purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, a programmable logic device (PLD), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The control circuit1602may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, or any other functionality that enables the system controller1600to perform as described herein. The control circuit1602may store information in and/or retrieve information from the memory1604. The memory1604may include a non-removable memory and/or a removable memory. The non-removable memory may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of non-removable memory storage. The removable memory may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card, or any other type of removable memory.

The system controller1600may include a communications circuit1606for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit1606may perform wireless and/or wired communications. The system controller1600may also, or alternatively, include a communications circuit1608for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit1606may perform wireless and/or wired communications. The communications circuits1606and1608may be in communication with control circuit1602. The communications circuits1606and1608may include RF transceivers or other communications modules capable of transmitting and/or receiving wireless communications via one or more antennas. The communications circuit1606and communications circuit1608may be capable of transmitting and/or receiving communications via the same communication channels or different communication channels. For example, the communications circuit1606may be capable of communicating (e.g., with a network device, over a network, etc.) via a wireless communication channel (e.g., BLUETOOTH®, near field communication (NFC), WIFI®, WI-MAX®, cellular, etc.) and the communications circuit1608may be capable of communicating (e.g., with control devices and/or other devices in the load control system) via another wireless communication channel (e.g., WI-FI® or a proprietary communication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™).

The control circuit1602may be coupled to an LED indicator1612for providing indications to a user. The control circuit1602may be coupled to an actuator1614(e.g., one or more buttons) that may be actuated by a user to communicate user selections to the control circuit1602. For example, the actuator1614may be actuated to put the control circuit1602in an association mode and/or communicate association messages from the system controller1600.

Each of the modules within the system controller1600may be powered by a power source1610. The power source1610may include an alternating-current (AC) power supply or a direct-current (DC) power supply. For example, the power source1610may be any one of: a line voltage AC power source, a battery, Power over Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus, or the like. The power source1610may generate a supply voltage VCCfor powering the modules within the system controller1600.

In addition to controlling fixtures and room capabilities for a single room as described herein, the system controller1600may additionally control fixtures in multiple rooms. The fixtures controlled by the system controller1600may not be limited to ceiling-mounted fixtures but additionally may include: wall sconces, lamps, task lighting, mood lighting, decorative lighting, emergency lighting, and the like.