Patent Document

CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/396,399, filed on Mar. 2, 2009 and entitled “LIGHTING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS”, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/032,993 entitled “MECHANISMS FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT MIXING USING REMOTES,” which was filed on Mar. 2, 2008, the contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional systems for controlling lighting in homes and other buildings suffer from many drawbacks. One such drawback is that such systems rely on conventional lighting technologies, such as incandescent bulbs and fluorescent bulbs. Such lamps are limited in many respects. For example, such lamps typically do not offer long life or high energy efficiency. Further, such lamps offer only a limited selection of colors, and what colors are offered are typically not well specified. Further still, the color or light output of such lamps typically changes or degrades over time as the lamp ages. Additionally, after such lamps are installed in a particular location in a home or other building, a user must return to the location and physically inspect the lamp to learn its operational condition. In buildings having a large number of lamps, such inspections can become tedious. 
     Another drawback of conventional systems is that such systems typically have inflexible controls. For example, the controls in such systems in many instances are limited to simple on-off switches, or manually controlled dimming switches. Such switches provide only limited control over lamps. Further, the relationships between conventional switches and the lamps each switch controls are not readily apparent. Thus, a user must experiment with multiple switches before determining which switch controls the lamp he or she wants to affect. Another issue with conventional switches is that they typically do not provide highly granular control. Thus, multiple lamps may be controlled by a single switch, thereby further limiting a user&#39;s control choices. Conversely, if a user wants highly centralized control, he or she may be frustrated that by utilizing a particular switch he or she can only control all of the lights in a room, for example, instead of all of the lights in a home or other building. Thus, conventional switches can frustrate user expectations in multiples ways. 
     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of a lighting and control system includes a lighting node and a remote control device. The remote control device can be coupled to the lighting node via an identification process. An example of the identification process includes broadcasting an identification request from the remote control device to nearby lighting nodes. The lighting node can respond to the identification request by sending an identifier to the remote control device. For example, the identifier is stored on the remote control device such that commands sent from the remote control device is limited to be responded by the lighting node having the identifier stored on a memory device of the lighting node. Once coupled, the remote control device can adjust spectral content produced by the lighting node based on user-configuration or a color profile. In one example, the color profile is saved on the remote control device by capturing a color composition via an optical sensor on the remote control device. The adjustment via the remote control device may further include calibration and recalibration of the lighting node utilizing a feedback mechanism with the optical sensor of the remote control device. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a lighting and control system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   a  depicts a block diagram of a lighting and control system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2   b  depicts a flowchart of a method for lighting and control according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3   a  depicts a block diagram of a lighting and control system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3   b  depicts a flowchart of a method for lighting and control according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of a lighting and control system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart of a method for lighting and control according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a block diagram of a lighting and control system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described in detail below are lighting and control systems and methods. 
     Various aspects of the invention will now be described. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the art will understand, however, that the invention may be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail, so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description. Although the diagrams depict components as functionally separate, such depiction is merely for illustrative purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the components portrayed in this figure may be arbitrarily combined or divided into separate components. 
     The terminology used in the description presented below is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific examples of the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of lighting and control system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. Lighting and control system  100  comprises lighting node  110  and controller  130 . Lighting node  110  comprises power supply  112 , memory  114 , light emitting diode (“LED”)  120 , and radio device  122 . Controller  130  comprises power supply  132 , memory  134 , optical sensor  140 , and radio device  142 . Lighting and control system  100  can be located in a home or other building, for example, to provide a highly configurable and precise lighting experience with fundamentally elegant user control. A user may utilize controller  130  to control lighting node  110  according to the invention, as discussed below. 
     Lighting node  110  comprises LED  120 , which in various embodiments includes different configurations of lamps. For example, in some embodiments LED  120  includes one LED or a plurality of LEDs. In embodiments wherein LED  120  includes a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs may be configured to emit light of a single color or of a uniform spectrum, or alternatively several of the LEDs may be configured to emit light of varying colors, or having different spectrums. In various embodiments wherein LED  120  includes a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs may be configured to emit light in one direction or in several directions. For example, in  FIG. 1  LED  120  is configured to shine generally downward from lighting node  110 , but in other embodiments LED  120  might be, for example, unidirectional or omnidirectional. In further various embodiments wherein LED  120  includes a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs may be electrically coupled in series, in parallel, or in various combinations of both. LED  120  includes, in one embodiment, a driver circuit for powering the one or more LEDs of LED  120 . Notably, some embodiments utilize lamps other than LEDs. Thus, some embodiments utilize incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, or yet other kinds of lamps or lighting techniques. LED  120  is configured both for illumination and for optical communication with optical sensor  140  of controller  130 , as discussed further below. 
     Lighting node  110  also comprises radio device  122 , which in various embodiments includes different kinds of wireless devices. For example, in some embodiments radio device  122  is a radio receiver for receiving radio transmissions, while in other embodiments radio device  122  is a radio transceiver for sending and receiving radio transmissions. Further, radio device  122  may be implemented to operate as, for example, an analog or digital radio, a packet-based radio, an 802.11-standard radio, a Bluetooth radio, or a wireless mesh network radio. Further still, in some embodiments of the invention radio device  122  may be implemented to operate as wireline device, such as a communication-over-powerline device, a USB device, an Ethernet device, or another device for communicating over a wired medium. Radio device  122  may be configured for radio communication with radio device  142  of controller  130 , as discussed further below. 
     Lighting node  110  also comprises memory  114 , which in various embodiments includes different kinds of memory devices. For example, in some embodiments memory  114  is a volatile memory, while in other embodiments memory  114  is a nonvolatile memory. Memory  114  may be implemented as, for example, a random access memory, a sequential access memory, a FLASH memory, or a hard drive, for example. Memory  114  is configured to store group identifier  116  and node identifier  118 . Additionally, memory  114  can be configured to store a color profile (not shown) for LED  120 . In one embodiment, node identifier  118  can be configured to uniquely identify lighting node  110 , while group identifier  116  can be configured to identify a group of lighting nodes including node  110 , as discussed further below. 
     Lighting node  110  also comprises power supply  112 , which in various embodiments includes different kinds of power supply hardware. For example, in some embodiments power supply  112  is a battery power supply, while in other embodiments power supply  112  is coupled to an external power supply. In embodiments wherein power supply  112  is coupled to an external power supply, power supply  112  may include a transformer or other power conditioning device. Power supply  112  is provides power to memory  114 , LED  120 , and radio device  112  via electrical wires, for example, which are not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Lighting node  110  also comprises, in one embodiment, a processor (not shown) configured to execute software to control the operation of, for example, LED  120 , radio device  122 , memory  114 , and power supply  112 . 
     Controller  130 , depicted in  FIG. 1  below lighting node  110 , comprises optical sensor  140 . Optical sensor  140  is configured to sense illumination provided by a lamp such as, but not limited to, LED  120 . More specifically, optical sensor  140  may be configured to sense characteristics of the illumination such as brightness or color composition, for example. Further, optical sensor  140  is configured in one embodiment to receive optical communication from a lamp such as, but not limited to, LED  120 . Optical sensor  140  may be implemented as, for example, a photodetector, a photodiode, a photomultiplier, or another type of optical sensor. Further, optical sensor  140  may be implemented as one optical sensor or an array of optical sensors. In one embodiment, optical sensor  140  is a directional sensor, or substantially unidirectional sensor, configured to receive input from a limited range of directions, or from one direction, respectively. 
     Controller  130  also comprises radio device  142 , which in various embodiments includes different kinds of wireless devices. For example, in some embodiments radio device  142  is a radio transmitter for sending radio transmissions, while in other embodiments radio device  142  is a radio transceiver for sending and receiving radio transmissions. Further, radio device  142  may be implemented to operate as, for example, an analog or digital radio, a packet-based radio, an 802.11-standard radio, a Bluetooth radio, or a wireless mesh network radio. Further still, in some embodiments of the invention radio device  142  may be implemented to operate as wireline device, such as a communication-over-powerline device, a USB device, an Ethernet device, or another device for communicating over a wired medium. Radio device  142  may be configured for radio communication with radio device  122  of lighting node  110 , as discussed further below. 
     Controller  130  also comprises memory  134 , which in various embodiments includes different kinds of memory devices. For example, in some embodiments memory  134  is a volatile memory, while in other embodiments memory  134  is a nonvolatile memory. Memory  134  may be implemented as, for example, a random access memory, a sequential access memory, a FLASH memory, or a hard drive, for example. In one embodiment, memory  134  is configured to store group identifier  136  and color profile  138 . In one embodiment, group identifier  136  can be configured to identify a group of lighting nodes including node  110 , for example, as discussed further below. 
     Controller  130  also comprises power supply  132 , which in various embodiments includes different kinds of power supply hardware. For example, in some embodiments power supply  132  is a battery power supply, while in other embodiments power supply  132  is coupled to an external power supply. In embodiments wherein power supply  132  is coupled to an external power supply, power supply  132  may include a transformer or other power conditioning device. Power supply  132  is provides power to memory  134 , optical sensor  140 , and radio device  142  via electrical wires, for example, which are not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Controller  130  also comprises user interface  144 , which in various embodiments includes different kinds of user interface devices. For example, user interface  144  may include a simple on-off switch. Further, user interface  144  may include a single-function touch wheel or a multifunction touch wheel. A multifunction touch wheel can be configured, in one embodiment, to toggle between a dimming function, a color adjustment function, or a warmth adjustment function, for example. User interface  144  may be implemented in various embodiments as a hardware user interface (e.g., a user interface assembled from hardware components) or as a software user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface displayed on a touch sensitive display of user interface  144 ). User interface  144  can be utilized, for example, by a user to issue commands from controller  130  to control lighting and control system  100 . 
     Controller  130  also comprises, in one embodiment, a processor (not shown) configured to execute software to control the operation of, for example, optical sensor  140 , radio device  142 , memory  134 , user interface  144 , and power supply  132 . 
       FIG. 2   a  depicts a block diagram of lighting and control system  200  according to one embodiment of the invention. Lighting and control system  200  comprises controller  130  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Lighting and control system  200  further comprises a plurality of lighting nodes, e.g., lighting node  210   a , lighting node  210   b , and lighting node  210   n . One or more additional lighting nodes between lighting node  210   b  and lighting node  210   n  are omitted from  FIG. 2   a . The lighting nodes of  FIG. 2   a  are collectively referred to as lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n . Like lighting and control system  100 , lighting and control system  200  can be located in a home or other building, for example, to provide a highly configurable and precise lighting experience with fundamentally elegant user control. A user may utilize controller  130  to control lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  in a variety of ways. 
     Lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  each substantially correspond to lighting node  110  of  FIG. 1 . Power supplies for each of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  have been omitted from  FIG. 2   a  for brevity. Notably, each of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  has been assigned a group number and a node number. For example, lighting node  210   a  is node number  1  of group number  1  (see node identifier  218   a  and group identifier  216   a , respectively). Further, lighting node  210   b  is node number  2  of group number  1  (see node identifier  218   b  and group identifier  216   b , respectively). Lighting node  210   n , also belonging to group number  1 , has node number “N” that is the highest node number of group number  1 . For example, in a group of 4 lighting nodes, N is equal to 4. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2   a , controller  130  has not been assigned to a group, and thus group identifier  136  is blank. According to one embodiment of the invention, a user may utilize controller  130  to assign controller  130  to a group previously assigned to a particular lighting node. For example, a user may utilize controller  130  to assign controller  130  to the group previously assigned to lighting node  210   b  (e.g., to group number  1 ). To do so, the user first utilizes controller  130  to identify node  210   b.    
     Generally, controller  130  can be utilized to identify a particular lighting node in lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  in several ways. A particular lighting node can be identified utilizing, for example, a global announce method or a binary search method according to the invention. The global announce method is discussed in relation to  FIG. 2   a  and  FIG. 2   b , and the binary search method is discussed in relation to  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b.    
     A user can utilize controller  130  to identify, for example, lighting node  210   b  utilizing a global announce method. To do so, the user first orients controller  130  at lighting node  210   b . By doing so, optical sensor  140  is aligned to LED  220   b  of lighting node  210   b . As described above in the discussion of  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment optical sensor  140  is a directional sensor, or substantially unidirectional sensor, configured to receive input from a narrow range of directions, or from one direction, respectively. Therefore, by orienting controller  130  at lighting node  210   b , light subsequently emitted by LED  220   b  can reach optical sensor  140 , but light subsequently emitted by LED  220   a  of lighting node  210   a  or emitted by LED  220   n  of lighting node  210   n , for example, cannot. 
     Having oriented controller  130  at lighting node  210   b , the user can utilize user interface  144  to issue a command to controller  130  to transmit global announce command  250  from radio device  142 . Global announce command  250 , depicted as several discrete lines in  FIG. 2   a , is in one embodiment a substantially omnidirectional radio broadcast. Global announce command  250  is modulated according to the particular implementation of radio device  142 . Global announce command  250  is received by the respective radio devices of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n . For example, radio device  222   b  of lighting node  210   b  receives global announce command  250 . 
     After receiving global announce command  250 , each of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  replies by transmitting a respective global announce response. For example, lighting node  210   a  transmits global announce response  252   a  via LED  220   a , and lighting node  210   b  transmits global announce response  252   b  via LED  220   b . Each respective global announce response communicates the group number and node number of the transmitting lighting node. Thus, for example, global announce response  252   a  communicates group number  1  and node number  1 . Further, global announce response  252   b  communicates group number  1  and node number  2 . 
     Notably, each of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  transmits a respective global announce response regardless of whether the respective LED is contemporaneously operating to provide illumination or not. For example, lighting node  210   a  may be unused for illumination when global announce command  250  is received, and thus LED  220   a  may be turned off. In such a circumstance, lighting node  210   a  may transmit global announce response  252   a  by, for example, modulating LED  220   a  into an on state briefly. Further, LED  220   a  may be modulated into an on state in a manner that is imperceptible to the user&#39;s sight, but is detectable by an optical sensor. In contrast with lighting node  210   a , lighting node  210   b  may be providing illumination when global announce command  250  is received, and thus LED  220   b  may be turned on. In such a circumstance, lighting node  210   b  may transmit global announce response  252   b  by, for example, modulating LED  220   b  into an off state briefly. Further, LED  220   b  may be modulated into an off state in a manner that is imperceptible to the user&#39;s sight, but is detectable by optical sensor  140 . 
     Notably, in one embodiment of the invention, global announce command  250  may be transmitted to request either a group number or a node number but not both. In such an embodiment, the global announce response of each lighting node would communicate only the group number of the lighting node, or only the node number of the lighting node, as appropriate. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2   a , controller  130  has been oriented at lighting node  210   b  by the user. Optical sensor  140  therefore receives global announce response  252   b , but not global announce response  252   a  or global announce response  252   n . Controller  130  can thus identify lighting node  210   b  as having group number  1  and node number  2 . Further, as stated above, controller  130  has not been assigned to a group, and thus group identifier  136  is blank. Having identified lighting node  210   b , controller  130  can be assigned to group number  1 . Consequently, controller  130  can be utilized to issue further commands to lighting node  210   b  or to all lighting nodes in group number  1 , for example. 
     Notably, in one embodiment a second controller (not shown) can be added to lighting and control system  200  to interact with lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n , and with controller  130 . Similarly, in one embodiment an additional lighting node (e.g., node number N+1 in group number  1 , or node number  1  in group number  2 , not shown) can be added to lighting and control system  200  to interact with controller  130  and lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n . Such an addition of a controller, of a lighting node, or of both can be accomplished without interfering with the previously extant components of lighting and control system  200 . 
       FIG. 2   b  depicts flowchart  201  of a method for lighting and control. Specifically, flowchart  201  shows a method of assigning a controller to a group previously assigned to a lighting node, according to one embodiment. In particular, flowchart  201  depicts the method utilizing a global announce method as discussed in  FIG. 2   a . The method includes orienting the controller toward the lighting node, transmitting a global announce command by the controller, receiving the global announce command by the lighting node, transmitting a global announce response by the lighting node, receiving the global announce response by the controller, and assigning the controller to the group of the lighting node. 
     As discussed above, controller  130  can be utilized to identify a particular lighting node in lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  utilizing, for example, a global announce method. A global announce method has an advantage, in one embodiment, of being a high-speed method, which can generally be accomplished in constant time regardless of the number of lighting nodes. Having discussed a global announce method in relation to  FIG. 2   a  and  FIG. 2   b , a binary search method is discussed in relation to  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b  below. A binary search method has an advantage, in one embodiment, of being a low-energy method, which can be performed with very low energy cost even with an increasing number of lighting nodes. 
       FIG. 3   a  depicts a block diagram of lighting and control system  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. Lighting and control system  300  comprises controller  130  depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2   a , as well as lighting node  210   a  through  210   n  depicted in  FIG. 2   a . As was the case in  FIG. 2   a , as depicted in  FIG. 3   a  controller  130  has not been assigned to a group, and thus group identifier  136  is blank. A user may utilize controller  130  to assign controller  130  to a group previously assigned to a particular lighting node utilizing a binary search method. 
     A user can utilize controller  130  to identify, for example, lighting node  210   b  utilizing a binary search method. To do so, the user first orients controller  130  at lighting node  210   b . By doing so, optical sensor  140  is aligned to LED  220   b  of lighting node  210   b . Then, the user can utilize user interface  144  to issue a command to controller  130  to transmit binary search command  350  from radio device  142 . Binary search command  350 , depicted as several discrete lines in  FIG. 3   a , is in one embodiment an substantially omnidirectional radio broadcast. Binary search command  350  is modulated according to the particular implementation of radio device  142 . Binary search command  350  is received by the respective radio devices of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n.    
     Binary search command  350  varies from global search command  250  depicted in  FIG. 2   a , which was, in one embodiment, a command to each of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  to transmit respective group numbers and node numbers in response. In contrast, binary search command  350  is a command to a first half of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  to transmit a first code (e.g., a 0), and a command to a second half of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  to transmit a second code (e.g., a 1). The halves of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  are determined by, for example, ranges of node numbers. Thus, for example, lighting nodes having a node number between 1 and N/2 will transmit a 0, and lighting nodes having a node number between N/2+1 and N will transmit a 1. Specifically, if N is equal to 4, lighting node  210   a  and lighting node  210   b  will transmit a 0, and a third lighting node and lighting node  210   n  will transmit a 1. 
     In response to binary search command  350 , lighting node  210   a  and lighting node  210   b  transmit binary search response  352   a  and binary search response  352   b , respectively, each communicating a 0, while lighting node  210   n  (being in the upper half of the node number range) transmits binary search response  352   n  containing a 0. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3   a , controller  130  has been oriented at lighting node  210   b  by the user. Optical sensor  140  therefore receives binary search response  352   b  containing a 0, but not binary search response  352   a  or binary search response  352   n . Controller  130  can subsequently exclude the half of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  having the upper range of node numbers. Further, controller  130  can determine that lighting node  210   b  must have a node number between 1 and N/2, instead of a node number between N/2 and N. Notably, if N were equal to 2, then controller  130  could uniquely identify lighting node  210   b  at this stage. However, since N is larger, in the example of  FIG. 3   a , controller  130  must repeat the binary search method to halve the range again and exclude additional lighting nodes from the search. 
     Therefore, controller  130  automatically transmits binary search command  354  from radio device  142 . Binary search command  354  propagates to lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  in the same manner as binary search command  350 , and is received by the respective radio devices of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n . Binary search command  354  varies from binary search command  350 . In particular, binary search command  354  is a command to only the first half of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n , commanding a first half of that half to transmit a first code (e.g., a 0), and a second half of that half to transmit a second code (e.g., a 1). The halves of lighting nodes  210   a  through  210   n  are determined by, for example, ranges of node numbers. Thus, for example, lighting nodes having a node number between 1 and N/4 will transmit a 0, and lighting nodes having a node number between N/4+1 and N/2 will transmit a 1. 
     Accordingly, lighting node  210   a  transmits binary search response  356   a , communicating a 0, and lighting node  210   b  transmits binary search response  356   b , communicating a 1. Notably, lighting node  210   n  (and any other lighting node in the upper half of the node number range) does not transmit a binary search response in response to binary search command  354 . Optical sensor  140  receives binary search response  356   b  containing a 1, but not binary search response  356   a . Controller  130  can thus uniquely identify lighting node  210   b  as the lighting node that transmitted binary search response  356   b , and thus must be the lighting node having node number  2 . 
     To then assign controller  130  to a group previously assigned to lighting node  210   b , controller  130  transmits group identifier request command  358  specifically addressed to lighting node  210   b  having node number  2 , asking for a group number. Lighting node  210   a  and lighting node  210   n  do not transmit a response because neither has node number  2 . Lighting node  210   b  responds with group identifier response  360   b , communicating group number  1 . Controller  130  may then be assigned to group number  1 . Consequently, controller  130  can be utilized to issue further commands to lighting node  210   b  or to all lighting nodes in group number  1 , for example. 
       FIG. 3   b  depicts flowchart  301  of a method for lighting and control. Specifically, flowchart  301  shows a method of assigning a controller to a group previously assigned to a lighting node, according to one embodiment. In particular, flowchart  301  depicts the method utilizing a binary search method as discussed in  FIG. 3   a . The method includes orienting the controller toward the lighting node, transmitting a binary search command by the controller to the first and second ranges of the lighting nodes according to their node numbers. The method also includes receiving the binary search command by the lighting node and transmitting a binary search response by the lighting node determined by which of the two ranges the lighting node is in. The method further includes receiving the binary search response by the controller from the lighting node in either the first or second range of node numbers, and determining whether the range of node numbers in the binary search response uniquely identifies the particular lighting node. If not, the method repeats after halving the range to exclude either the first or second range of node numbers based on the binary search response received by controller. If so, the method concludes by assigning the controller to the group of the lighting node. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of lighting and control system  400  according to one embodiment of the invention. Lighting and control system  400  comprises controller  430 , lighting node  410   a , lighting node  410   b , and lighting node  410   c . Like lighting and control system  100 , lighting and control system  400  can be located in a home or other building, for example, to provide a highly configurable and precise lighting experience with fundamentally elegant user control. A user may utilize controller  430  to control lighting node  410   a , lighting node  410   b , and lighting node  410   c  (collectively “lighting nodes  410   a  through  410   c ”) in a variety of ways. 
     Lighting nodes  410   a  through  410   c  each substantially correspond to lighting node  110  of  FIG. 1 . Lighting node  410   a  is node number  1  of group number  1 , lighting node  410   b  is node number  2  of group number  1 , and lighting node  410   c  is node number  1  of group number  2 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , controller  130  has been assigned to group  1 . As further depicted in  FIG. 4 , controller  130  has stored Profile A in color profile  438 . 
     Controller  430  can be utilized to identify a particular lighting node in lighting nodes  410   a  through  410   c  utilizing, for example, a global announce method or a binary search method as discussed above in relation to  FIG. 2   a ,  FIG. 2   b ,  FIG. 3   a , and  FIG. 3   b , for example. Also, controller  430  can be utilized by a user for further control of lighting nodes  410   a  through  410   c.    
       FIG. 4  depicts controller  430  transmitting command  450  to lighting node  410   a . Command  450  may be a binary search command or a global announce command as discussed above, or another kind of command. Notably, command  450  cannot reach lighting node  410   b . This may be the case in one embodiment because, for example, lighting node  410   b  is too far from controller  430 , or because, for example, of radio-frequency interference. Because command  450  cannot reach lighting node  410   b , lighting node  410   a  forwards command  450  to lighting node  410   b  as command  451 . Lighting node  410   b  has this capability because, for example, the distance to lighting node  410   b  is lower or, for example, the radio-frequency interference has ended. Lighting node  410   a  can be configured to perform this forwarding by, for example, utilizing a repeater technique or by, for example, implementing a mesh networking technique. 
     Notably, neither command  450  nor command  451  is transmitted to lighting node  410   c , because while controller  430 , lighting node  410   a , and lighting node  410   b  are in group number  1 , lighting node  410   c  is in group number  2 . Lighting node  410   c  may be assigned to group number  2  because, for example, in one embodiment lighting node  410   c  is located in a home or other building separate from the home or other building of the balance of lighting and control system  400  (in other words, in such an embodiment lighting node  410   c  could be part of a separate lighting and control system having different group numbers to avoid interference). 
     Further operations of lighting and control system  400  according to the invention can be described with respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . For example, controller  430  can be utilized for color calibration of illumination provided by lighting nodes  410   a  through  410   c . In particular, controller  430  can be oriented toward lighting node  410   b , for example, to perform color coordinate/color temperature set point adjustment via command  450  and command  451  and utilizing feedback from LED  420   b  into optical sensor  440 . Further, controller  430  can be oriented toward first lighting node  410   a  and then  410   b  in sequence, for example, to automatically calibrate LED  420   a  and LED  420   b  to match each other, or to vary in a desired manner. Further still, controller  430  can be utilized to “copy” some or all of the illumination or control characteristics of a first set of lighting nodes, and then to “paste” those characteristics to a second set of lighting nodes. 
     Similarly, controller  430  can measure the individual RGB (“Red, Green, Blue”)/White output of LED  420   b , for example, and recalibrate LED  420   b  as the output of the individual LEDs changes, utilizing Profile A stored in color profile  438 . A user may initially calibrate (e.g., by transmitting a first calibrate command) the illumination of LED  420   b  to match Profile A utilizing feedback from optical sensor  440 . Subsequently, the illumination of LED  420   b  may decalibrate as time passes, or as the temperature of LED  420   b  changes, or as environmental conditions change, for example, and the output of the individual LEDS may change. After such a change occurs, the user may recalibrate (e.g., by transmitting a second calibrate command) the illumination of LED  42   b  to match Profile A again, by again utilizing feedback from optical sensor  440 . 
     In one embodiment, controller  430  can perform background automatic calibration of lighting node  410   b , for example, while a user is utilizing controller  430  to control lighting node  410   b  in another manner. For example, controller  430  can perform background automatic calibration of LED  420   b  (e.g., to compensate for decalibration of LED  420   b  after the passage of time) while a user is utilizing controller  430  to control the overall brightness of lighting node  410   b . With this and other background automatic controls, controller  430  can relieve a user of certain management duties. 
     In a further operation of lighting and control system  400 , controller  430  can be utilized to relay commands or other information into lighting and control system  400  from, for example, external systems in the building or locale of lighting and control system  400 . For example, controller  430  can be configured to relay commands or information from occupancy sensors, programmable light controllers, fire alarms, smoke alarms, burglar alarms, desktop computers, or server computers, for example. In one embodiment, controller  430  has a dedicated interface (not shown) to the external system, while in another embodiment radio device  442  is configured to communicate with the external system. Notably, the further operations discussed herein with respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 4  can also be utilized in lighting and control system  300  of  FIG. 3   a , in lighting and control system  200  of  FIG. 2   a , and in lighting and control system  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts flowchart  501  of a method for lighting and control. Specifically, flowchart  501  shows a method for calibrating a lighting node utilizing a controller, according to one embodiment. The method includes transmitting a first calibrate command from the controller to the lighting node utilizing a controller radio device, receiving the first calibrate command from the controller at the lighting node utilizing a node radio device, and providing illumination by the lighting node corresponding to the first calibrate command. The method further includes receiving illumination feedback by the controller after the lighting node decalibrates, transmitting a second calibrate command from the controller to the lighting node utilizing the controller radio device, receiving the second calibrate command from the controller at the lighting node utilizing the node radio device, and providing illumination by the lighting node corresponding to the second calibrate command. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a block diagram of lighting and control system  600  according to one embodiment of the invention. Lighting and control system  600  comprises controller  630 , personal computer  690 , and one or more lighting nodes (not shown). Like lighting and control system  100 , lighting and control system  600  can be located in a home or other building, for example, to provide a highly configurable and precise lighting experience with fundamentally elegant user control. 
     The lighting nodes of lighting and control system  600  each substantially correspond, in one embodiment, to lighting node  110  of  FIG. 1 . Controller  630  can be utilized to identify a particular lighting node, and for further control of the lighting nodes as described above. In one embodiment, controller  630  can be configured to relay commands or information from personal computer  690  to the lighting nodes. Further, in one embodiment controller  630  can provide information regarding lighting and control system  600  to personal computer  690  (e.g., information about calibrations performed on various lighting nodes). Additionally, personal computer  690  can be used to program memory  634  of controller  630  (e.g., to provide a new color profile, or to provide a firmware update). Controller  630  can be configured to communicate with personal computer  690  via USB connector  692 . USB connector  692  can also be configured for charging power supply  632  (e.g., charging a battery) of controller  630 . In another embodiment, controller  630  has a different interface to personal computer  690 , such as a serial interface, a Firewire interface, a Bluetooth interface, or another wired or wireless interface. 
     Personal computer  690  can provide enhanced control for lighting and control system  600 . For example, in one embodiment personal computer  690  can be configured with software to provide a user interface with more features than, for example, user interface  644 . Additionally, personal computer  690  can be configured to provide remote management of lighting and control system  600  via the Internet, for example. 
     The words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. 
     The foregoing description of various embodiments of the claimed subject matter has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art. Embodiments were chosen and described in order to best describe the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the relevant art to understand the claimed subject matter, the various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     While the above description describes certain embodiments of the invention, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

Technology Category: 5