Patent Application
20160336797
This application generally relates to lighting systems. In particular, this application relates to platforms and techniques for managing multiple operating modes within a lighting system.
Most commercial buildings, parking structures, transportation areas or structures, and the like are equipped with lighting systems that typically include several luminaires or light fixtures configured to illuminate certain areas. The lighting systems support different modes of operation, specifically a primary or “main” mode as well as an emergency mode. When a lighting system is operating in the main mode, the luminaires are powered by a main or utility power source. When the lighting system is operating in the emergency mode, the luminaires are powered by an emergency power source. Typically, the emergency mode has requirements that are defined by various codes, standards, and/or regulations which can be met using various equipment and configurations.
In typical lighting systems, an automatic transfer switch (ATS) facilitates transferring a lighting system from a main mode to an emergency mode (and vice-versa). In particular, the ATS transfers from a main or utility power source to an emergency power source (and vice-versa). In conventional lighting systems, one set of luminaires is dedicated for the main mode and another set of luminaires is dedicated for the emergency mode. Similarly, the ATS interfaces with separate wiring configurations for the multiple sets of luminaires, whereby one set of wiring and conduit is dedicated for the set of main luminaires and another set of wiring and conduit is dedicated for the set of emergency luminaires.
However, the separate wiring configurations for the multiple sets of luminaires are costly to install and ultimately require more space to accommodate. Accordingly, there is an opportunity for lighting systems having configurations that reduce the complexity and cost required to implement and manage multiple lighting modes.
In an embodiment, a control board for facilitating multiple lighting modes for a set of luminaires is disclosed. The control board may include a communication module adapted to interface with the set of luminaires, a memory storing a set of computer-executable instructions, at least one port for interfacing with a controller for an automatic transfer switch (ATS), and a processor adapted to interface with the communication module, the memory, and the at least one port. The processor may be configured to execute the set of computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to receive, via the at least one port, at least one signal from the controller for the ATS, determine, based on the at least one signal, that the emergency power mode is initiated, generate an instruction to implement an emergency lighting setting associated with the emergency power mode, and transmit the instruction to the set of luminaires via the communication module, the set of luminaires configured to execute the instruction to implement the emergency lighting setting.
In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method of facilitating multiple lighting modes for a set of luminaires is disclosed, the multiple lighting modes including a main power mode having a main lighting setting and an emergency power mode having an emergency lighting setting. The method may include receiving, by a processor via at least one port, at least one signal from a controller for an automatic transfer switch (ATS) connected to a main power source and an emergency power source, determining, by the processor based on the at least one signal, that the emergency power mode is initiated, generating an instruction to implement the emergency lighting setting associated with the emergency power mode, and transmitting the instruction to the set of luminaires via a communication module, the set of luminaires configured to execute the instruction to implement the emergency lighting setting with power from the emergency power source.
In an additional embodiment, a system for facilitating multiple lighting modes for a set of luminaires is disclosed. The system may include a controller for an automatic transfer switch (ATS) connected to an emergency power source and a main power source, and a control board configured to interface with the controller for the ATS via at least one port. The control board may include a communication module adapted to interface with a set of luminaires, a memory storing a set of computer-executable instructions, and a processor adapted to interface with the communication module and the memory. The processor may be configured to execute the set of computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to receive, via the at least one port, at least one signal from the controller for the ATS, determine, based on the at least one signal, that the ATS is facilitating a transfer from a first power mode to a second power mode, generate an instruction to implement a lighting setting associated with the second power mode, and transmit the instruction to the set of luminaires via the communication module, the set of luminaires configured to execute the instruction to implement the lighting setting.
In a further embodiment, a luminaire configured to implement multiple lighting settings is disclosed. The luminaire may include a communication module adapted to interface with a control board, at least one lamp, a memory storing at least a main lighting setting associated with a main power mode and an emergency lighting setting associated with an emergency power mode, and a processor adapted to interface with the communication module, the at least one lamp, and the memory. The processor may be configured to receive, from the control board via the communication module, an instruction to implement the emergency lighting setting associated with the emergency power mode, in response to receiving the instruction, access, from the memory, the emergency lighting setting associated with the emergency power mode, and cause the at least one lamp to output light according to the emergency lighting setting, the at least one lamp receiving power from an emergency power source.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.
The novel methods and systems disclosed herein generally relate to lighting systems and methods of configuring lighting systems for different modes of operation. In certain situations, a lighting system may be powered by a main or utility power supply. In other situations, such as if the main power supply experiences an outage, the lighting system may be powered by an emergency power supply. The corresponding main power lighting mode and emergency power lighting mode may have different operating settings or parameters. For example, the emergency power lighting mode may be at least partially dictated by building codes and/or other regulations.
To accommodate accurate operation of the different lighting modes, conventional lighting systems have different sets of luminaires that respectively implement the different lighting modes. In particular, one set of luminaires is operational when the main power lighting mode is active, and another set of luminaires is operational when the emergency power lighting mode is active. These sets of luminaires may have lighting settings programmed therein and may operate accordingly.
In contrast, in the lighting system according to the present embodiments, a single set of luminaires is used to operate multiple lighting modes. The lighting system may include an automatic transfer switch (ATS) and a controller for the ATS, as well as a control board that may interface with the controller for the ATS. The control board may send commands or instructions to the set of luminaires to implement respective lighting settings corresponding to the multiple lighting modes.
In operation, the control board may receive one or more signals from the controller for the ATS and determine, from the one or more signals, a current lighting mode (e.g., main power or emergency power). The control board may generate an instruction to implement a specific lighting setting that corresponds to the current lighting mode and may transmit the instruction to the set of luminaires. After receiving the instruction, the set of luminaires may locally access the specific lighting setting and implement the specific lighting setting to operate according to the proper lighting mode. The present embodiments further enable a user to remotely access the lighting settings and modify the lighting settings as desired.
The systems and methods offer numerous improvements and benefits over existing implementations. First, by facilitating operation of the multiple lighting modes with a single set of luminaires, the systems and methods reduce the amount of physical components needed to install the lighting system, including the luminaires themselves as well as conduit, switches, meters, light fittings, insulated conductors, and/or the like. Second, the systems and methods may leverage existing hardware components, such as the ATS and the controller for the ATS, thus reducing the amount of complexity needed for implementation. Third, the systems and methods enable users to remotely access and modify the lighting systems, which the systems and methods may dynamically transmit to the luminaires via a wired or wireless communication for real-time implementation.
Referring to
As illustrated in
The lighting system 100 may further include an emergency power source 110 and a main power source 115. The emergency power source 110 may be any battery, generator, or combination thereof, or any other type of emergency power supply. The main power source 115 may be utility electric power that may be regulated and/or operated by an electric utility, or any other type of main power supply. The lighting system 100 may further include an ATS 120 that is configured to transfer a power load between the emergency power source 110 and the main power source 115. In particular, when the main power source 115 fails, the ATS 120 may transfer the power load to the emergency power source 110. Similarly, when the main power source 115 is subsequently available, the ATS 120 may transfer the power load back to the main power source 115.
As illustrated in
As understood in the art, the configuration of the first set of luminaires 101 may be dictated by a set of building codes and/or other regulatory codes related to emergency light. For example, one code may specify that the first set of luminaires 101 provide an average of one footcandle of light along a path of egress. For further example, another code may require a minimum of ninety (90) minutes on battery power during a power outage along the path of egress.
Because of the set of building and/or regulatory codes related to emergency light, and/or because of other factors, the first set of luminaires 101 may be configured differently than the second set of luminaires 102. In particular, the first set of luminaires 101 may have a different amount or type of luminaires and/or may be disposed or installed in a different location. Further, the first set of luminaires 101 may be programmed to output light differently than the second set of luminaires 102. Additionally, the wiring configuration 122 for the first set of luminaires 101 is separate from the wiring configuration 124 for the second set of luminaires 102. As a result, the configuration of the conventional lighting system 100 not only requires the inclusion of both sets of luminaires 101, 102 and both wiring configurations 122, 124, but also necessitates the installation and configuration of both sets of luminaires 101, 102 and both wiring configurations 122, 124.
Referring to
According to embodiments, the ATS 220 of the lighting system 200 may include an automatic transfer switch controller (ATSC) (not shown in
As depicted in
The lighting system 200 may further include a control board 225 that may interface with the ATSC of the ATS 220. In particular, the control board 225 may connect to the ATSC via one or more respective ports of the control board 225 and the ATSC. The control board 225 may be configured to generate and send commands or instructions to the set of luminaires 206 to implement various sets of lighting settings corresponding to operation of the set of luminaires 206. Each set of lighting settings may include various parameters or settings including, for example, dim levels, output wattages, timeouts, and/or the like, whereby each set of lighting settings may also include a schedule specifying which settings should be used based on time of day, day or week, and/or other timing parameters. According to embodiments, one of the set of lighting settings may be an emergency lighting setting and another of the set of lighting settings may be a main lighting setting. The emergency lighting setting may include parameters that comply with any applicable building code(s) and/or other regulatory code(s)
In operation, the control board 225 may receive one or more status or operating signals from the ATSC, from which the control board 225 may determine which power source (main 215 or emergency 210) is currently active and/or determine whether the ATS 220 is facilitating a transfer form one power source to another. For example, the control board 225 may receive a “gen start” command from the “gen start” port of the ATSC. The control board 225 may generate a command or instruction to implement a set of lighting settings that corresponds to the active/initiated power source or the power source to which the ATS 220 is transferring. For example, if the emergency power source 210 is active/initiated or being transferred to, the control board 225 may generate a command to implement the emergency lighting setting, and if the main power source 215 is active/initiated or being transferred to, the control board 225 may generate a command to implement the main lighting setting.
The control board 225 may transmit the generated command to each of the set of luminaires 206. In particular, the control board 225 may transmit the generated command via one or more bridge devices 219, whereby portion(s) of the set of luminaires 206 may be connected to the bridge device(s) 219. For example, each bridge device may connect to up to one hundred (100) of the set of luminaires 206. In one implementation, the control board 225 may connect to the bridge device(s) 219 via a wireless network, such as a network 216 as depicted in
According to embodiments, the network 216 can facilitate any type of data communication via any standard or technology (e.g., e.g., GSM, CDMA, TDMA, WCDMA, LTE, EDGE, OFDM, GPRS, EV-DO, UWB, IEEE 802 including Ethernet, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, and/or others). Additionally, the network 216 may support various short range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, RFID, NFC, ZigBee®, Z-Wave®, Insteon®, or universal powerline bus (UPB)) between and among the control board 225, the bridge device(s) 219, and the set of luminaires 206. In another implementation, the control board 225 may directly communicate with the set of luminaires 206 via the network 216. In a further implementation, the control board 225 may communicate with the set of luminaires 206 via a wired connection.
According to embodiments, each of the set of luminaires 206 may be configured with a luminaire control board that may interface with the control board 225 either directly or via the appropriate bridge device 219. The luminaire control board may manage operation of the corresponding luminaire 206, including controlling luminaire light output based on various configurable parameters such as occupancy status, scheduling/timing parameters, special events, utility rate schedules, and/or the like. The luminaire control board may also perform various system measurements (e.g., power consumption, occupancy events, and light level). The luminaire control board may maintain various data such as schedule information and zone information in local memory. Additionally, the local memory of the luminaire control board may store multiple sets of lighting settings, such as an emergency lighting setting and a main lighting setting.
Thus, each of the luminaire control boards may receive the generated command that originates from the control board 225, where the command specifies the appropriate lighting setting for the set of luminaires 206 to implement. Based on the command, the luminaire control boards may then access the appropriate lighting setting from the memory and implement the appropriate lighting setting. In one implementation, all of the set of luminaires 206 may maintain uniform lighting settings (i.e., each of the set of luminaires 206 may operate in a uniform manner depending on the lighting mode). In another implementation, individual luminaires 206 may maintain individual lighting settings (i.e., each of the set of luminaires 206 may operate according to the locally-stored lighting setting). For example, the lighting setting for one luminaire 206 may specify a certain dim level and another lighting setting for another luminaire 206 may specify another dim level.
In this regard, the set of luminaires 206 may support both an emergency lighting mode and a main lighting mode. This is in contrast to the lighting system 100 of
Additionally, the wired connection from the ATS 220 to the set of luminaires 206 may share the components (e.g., the conduit, switches, meters, insulated conductors) of the wiring configuration 226. This is also in contrast to the lighting system 100 of
As depicted in
The client device(s) 218 may support a graphical user interface (GUI) whereby a user of the client device 218 may use the GUI to select various operations, change settings, view operation statuses and reports, make updates, configure email/text alert notifications, and/or perform other functions. For example, the user may use the client device 218 to set or modify parameters associated with any of the set of lighting settings. For further example, the user may use the client device 218 to assess the operation state of the current lighting mode of the lighting system 200. The client device(s) may transmit, via the network 216 and the bridge device(s) 219, any updated lighting settings to the set of luminaires 206 for implementation and/or storage thereon. Accordingly, the lighting system 200 may support remote and dynamic updating of the set of lighting settings.
Although not shown in
The control board 325 is configured to interface with the ATSC 330 via a set of wires and a set of ports. As depicted in
In one implementation, the control board 325 may connect to the ATSC 330 via two ports of the ATSC 330: a “generator start” port and a “pre-transfer” port. The “pre-transfer” port is capable of sending a steady state output to the control board 325 indicating that there is an impending transfer or re-transfer of power sources. The “generator start” port may provide a normally open contact that closes to command a start of an emergency power source, such as a generator.
The control board 325 may therefore receive and analyze the signals from the ports of the ATSC 330 to determine a current or subsequent lighting mode (e.g., emergency lighting mode or main lighting mode), and to facilitate operation of the current or subsequent lighting mode accordingly. For example, the control board 325 may receive and analyze a signal from the “generator start” port and determine that the emergency power supply is starting, and thus that the emergency lighting mode should be initiated. Accordingly, the control board 325 may generate a command to implement an emergency lighting setting and transmit the command to the appropriate luminaires, as discussed with respect to
Referring to
The signal diagram 400 may begin when the main power source 415 supplies (450) main power to the ATS 420. The main power source 415 may be one or more electric generators that supply power through an electric power grid that is regulated by the electric power industry, as conventionally understood. Responsive to receiving the main power IN, the ATS 420 may enable (456) main power OUT to the set of luminaires 406 so that the set of luminaires 406 are powered by the main power source 415.
Before, concurrently with, or after the ATS 420 enables main power OUT, the control board 425 may retrieve (452) signals from the ATS 420, or otherwise the ATS 420 may provide the signals to the control board 425. In embodiments, the control board 425 may be connected to one or more ports of the controller of the ATS 420. For example, the control board 425 may be wired to the pre-transfer port and/or the generator start port of the controller of the ATS 420. The control board 425 may examine/analyze the retrieved signals to determine (454) that the main power is active. For example, the pre-transfer signal and/or the generator start signal may indicate that the generator is not activated and/or that there is no impending transfer of power.
The control board 425 may generate a command to implement a main lighting setting stored on the set of luminaires 406, where the main lighting setting includes operation parameters for the set of luminaires 406 during a main power mode. The control board 425 may send (458) the command to the set of luminaires 406 via an appropriate bridge device, and the set of luminaires may access the main lighting setting to accordingly implement (460) the main lighting setting. Accordingly, when the ATS 420 transmits main power to the set of luminaires 406, the set of luminaires 406 operate according to the main lighting setting.
As depicted in
Responsive to receiving the emergency power IN, the ATS 420 may enable (470) emergency power OUT to the set of luminaires 406 so that the set of luminaires 406 are powered by the emergency power source 410. Before, concurrently with, or after the ATS 420 enables emergency power OUT, the control board 425 may retrieve (466) signals from the ATS 420, or otherwise the ATS 420 may provide the signals to the control board 425. In embodiments, as discussed above, the control board 425 may be connected to one or more ports of the controller of the ATS 420. For example, the control board 425 may be wired to the pre-transfer port and/or the generator start port of the controller of the ATS 420. The control board 425 may examine/analyze the retrieved signals to determine (468) that the emergency power is active. For example, the pre-transfer signal and/or the generator start signal may indicate that the generator is activated and/or that there is an impending transfer of power.
The control board 425 may generate a command to implement an emergency lighting setting stored on the set of luminaires 406, where the emergency lighting setting includes operation parameters for the set of luminaires 406 during an emergency power mode. The control board 425 may send (472) the command to the set of luminaires 406 via an appropriate bridge device, and the set of luminaires may access the emergency lighting setting to accordingly implement (460) the emergency lighting setting. Accordingly, when the ATS 420 transmits emergency power to the set of luminaires 406, the set of luminaires 406 operate according to the emergency lighting setting.
Although the signal diagram 400 of
The method 500 may begin when the electronic device receives (block 505), via at least one port, at least one signal from the controller of the ATS. In embodiments, the at least one signal may include a generation start signal, a pre-transfer signal, and/or another signal(s), from at least one corresponding port of the controller of the ATS. The electronic device may determine (block 510), based on the at least one signal, whether the emergency power mode is initiated. In particular, the electronic device may examine the received at least one signal to determine that the ATS is facilitating a transfer from the main power mode to the emergency power mode, or that the emergency power source is initiating. If the electronic device determines that the emergency power mode is not initiated (“NO”) (i.e., that the ATS is not transferring from main power to emergency power), processing may return to block 505.
In contrast, if the electronic device determines that the emergency power mode is initiated (“YES”) (i.e., that the ATS is transferring from main power to emergency power), the electronic device may generate (block 515) an instruction to implement an emergency lighting setting associated with the emergency power mode. The emergency lighting setting may be locally stored on the set of luminaires, whereby the emergency lighting setting may specify certain dim levels, output wattages, timeouts, output schedules, and/or other parameters.
In one embodiment, each of the set of luminaires may maintain individual emergency lighting settings that may differ from the emergency lighting settings of the other luminaires. For example, an emergency lighting setting for a luminaire along an egress route may specify a certain dim level that is different than what another emergency lighting setting for another luminaire that is not along the egress route specifies. It should be appreciated that when the emergency power mode is initiated, then the ATS may transmit power to the set of luminaires from the emergency power source.
The electronic device may transmit (block 520) the instruction to the set of luminaires. In embodiments, the electronic device may transmit the instruction to the set of luminaires via a wired or wireless connection, such as via a LAN/WLAN, PAN/WPAN, or WAN/WWAN network, and/or via a set of intermediary bridge devices. When the set of luminaires receive the instruction, each of the set of luminaires may access its emergency lighting setting and accordingly implement the emergency lighting setting. Accordingly, the set of luminaires may receive power from the emergency power source, via the ATS, and may operate according to the emergency lighting setting. In some implementations, in implementing the emergency lighting setting, the set of luminaires may output power at an output level that is reduced (or, in some cases, increased) from the output level associated with a main lighting setting.
The control device 625 may include a processor 679 or other similar type of controller module or microcontroller, as well as a memory 695. The memory 695 may store an operating system 697 capable of facilitating the functionalities as discussed herein. The processor 679 may interface with the memory 695 to execute the operating system 697 and a set of applications 683. The set of applications 683 (which the memory 695 may also store) may include a lighting setting application 681 that is configured to generate commands or instructions to implement various lighting settings and transmit the commands/instructions to a set of luminaires. It should be appreciated that the set of applications 683 may include one or more other applications 682.
Generally, the memory 695 may include one or more forms of volatile and/or non-volatile, fixed and/or removable memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), electronic programmable read-only memory (EPROM), random access memory (RAM), erasable electronic programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or other hard drives, flash memory, MicroSD cards, and others.
The control device 625 may further include a communication module 693 configured to interface with one or more external ports 685 to communicate data via one or more networks 616. For example, the communication module 693 may leverage the external ports 685 to establish a WLAN for connecting the control device 625 to a set of luminaires and/or to a set of bridge devices. According to some embodiments, the communication module 693 may include one or more transceivers functioning in accordance with IEEE standards, 3GPP standards, or other standards, and configured to receive and transmit data via the one or more external ports 685. More particularly, the communication module 693 may include one or more wireless or wired WAN, PAN, and/or LAN transceivers configured to connect the control device 625 to the WANs, PANs, and/or LANs.
The control device 625 may further include a user interface 687 configured to present information to a user and/or receive inputs from the user. As illustrated in
In general, a computer program product in accordance with an embodiment includes a computer usable storage medium (e.g., standard random access memory (RAM), an optical disc, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, or the like) having computer-readable program code embodied therein, wherein the computer-readable program code is adapted to be executed by the processor 679 (e.g., working in connection with the operating system 697) to facilitate the functions as described herein. In this regard, the program code may be implemented in any desired language, and may be implemented as machine code, assembly code, byte code, interpretable source code or the like (e.g., via C, C++, Java, Actionscript, Objective-C, Javascript, CSS, XML, and/or others).
Thus, it should be clear from the preceding disclosure that the systems and methods offer improved lighting systems. The embodiments advantageously enable efficient and effective control of lighting systems and reduce the complexity and components required in the installation of the lighting systems.
Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.
As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the description. This description, and the claims that follow, should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
This detailed description is to be construed as examples and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this application.
