The present invention relates generally to wireless infrastructure networks, such as a mesh network, and more particularly to a wireless mesh network node formed using an RF transceiver node and light fixture assembly.
Various wireless infrastructure networking technologies are well-known in the art. Mesh networking is a way to route data, messages, voice, and/or instructions between nodes. It allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked node-to-node links by “hopping” from node to node until the destination is reached. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network. Mesh networks differ from other networks in that the component parts can all connect to each other via multiple hops and they generally are not mobile. Mesh networks can be seen as one type of ad hoc network. Wireless applications of mesh networks add an even higher level of complexity in order to maintain reliable communication throughout the network.
Additionally, mesh networks are self-healing, such that a network can still operate even with a broken or faulty connection. As a result, a very reliable network is formed. This concept is applicable to wireless networks, wired networks, and software interaction. Today, wireless mesh networks are the most common of the mesh architectures. Wireless mesh was originally developed for military applications, but have undergone significant evolution in the past decade in order to accommodate personal and industrial applications.
There are many differing types of network applications involving lighting systems, such as U.S. Patent Publication US2007/0097993 to Bojahra et al. that teach a system for remote monitoring of local devices over a wide area network. A gateway device, such as a server or router, couples an external network via the Internet or local area network (LAN) used to monitor devices or switches. U.S. Pat. No. 6,160,359 to Fleischmann discloses a system for communicating with a remote computer to control an assigned lighting load that uses a local computer and virtual switch to communicate with a server for controlling a lighting load. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,394 to Pasternak teaches a lighting control system that provides for the remote control of lighting using first and second wireless interfaces. Those skilled in the art will recognize that each of these representative patents or publications utilize nodes that act solely as a node and are not multifunctional for enhancing the utility of the mesh network in either a wired or wireless application.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a wireless mesh network using a lighting node. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional microprocessors and unique stored program instructions that control the microprocessors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of a wireless mesh network using a task lighting node described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and/or user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method to perform wireless mesh networking using a lighting node. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
In addition, each fixture also possesses the ability to supply a radio frequency (RF) output for data, messages, and instructions to the mesh network. Each fixture 101 may further include such devices as a light sensor 111 that may be used to input detection information or other data into the mesh network. A mesh network control works then ultimately turn on or off lighting depending on user control input. Alternatively, in some applications, the intensity of a light may also be controlled by altering the amplitude and/or frequency of the voltage supplied to the ballast and/or lighting device, as described herein. Also, it will be evident to those skilled in that art that other types of sensing devices may be used in combination with the task lighting nodes 101, 103, 105 for detecting various parameters used in connection with the lighting node. For example, an occupancy sensor 113 can be used to detect when persons are in a certain proximity to the light fixture in order to control its operation. Hence, a single occupancy sensor 113 could be used by the mesh network to control a predetermined lighting footprint in the space used by the lighting node. Although only several nodes are shown in the mesh network system 100, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that mesh network will vary in size depending on the area that may need to be covered by the lighting nodes 101, 103, 105. Additionally, although occupancy sensor 113 is used in this example, many different types of sensors, as described herein, can be used depending on the environment upon which the lighting nodes 103, 105, 107 are used.
In order to centrally control the lighting nodes 101, 103, 105, and the RF node 107, a gateway control 115 is used that utilizes control software for providing operational control information and other data to one or more of the lighting fixtures 101, 103, 105 and the RF node 107. The control gateway 115 further includes a software module 117 for providing various control and operating instructions to the lighting fixtures as well as a power block 119. The power block 119 operates as the inbound power and neutral supply input lines (black and white) from the electrical grid. It is useful in situations or locations having varied or non-standard supply voltages from 120-277 VAC.
Thus, the gateway works as the proxy that communicates with a server that includes a “schedule and information” for passing changes and control information to and from the nodes as changes are made. Information is accrued by data mining at each node for determining how much energy is consumed, the operating bulb life, ballast life timers and monitors, asset tracking, people tracking, etc. The lighting fixture then sends this information back to the server as described herein.
The gateway module 115 further uses an RF transmitter and receiver (not shown) for communicating with one or more of the lighting nodes 101, 103, 105 and the RF node 107 using a ZigBee, EnOcean, Wi-Fi, or other RF networking protocol. Although the RF transmitter is not included in the gateway module 115, it may operate similarly to a touch screen control or other user interface device. The gateway module 115 further includes an internal battery similar to that of a computer for use with connection with an internal clock for maintaining system time in the event of a power outage.
Further, in order to provide override control of each of the lighting nodes 101, 103, 105 and RF node 107, a touch screen 121 can be used in combination with a wired manual override switch 123 that operates in combination with a manual interface 125 so that user instructions may be provided to each of the task lighting nodes 101, 103, 105 and RF node 107 in real time for overriding any pre-programmed software instructions that may be contained in the software manifest 117. The commands in the software manifest 117 are routinely sent to the gateway module 115 through a Wide Area network (WAN) 129, either wirelessly or through a hard wired connection. An external server 127 may also command and control the mesh network remotely using an external computer 137 through the Internet or using an external computer 139 connected using Wi-Fi or WAN wireless connection.
The current sense circuitry 237 is connected with a series of control outputs that provide data over a bus 221 to a controller 219 within the node 201. Information regarding control of the lighting node and its associated current drain can be provided to the processor memory 235 where this information can be further transmitted using an RF transceiver 245 and antenna 247. Additionally, the lighting node 200 can further include one or more detectors and/or sensors 225, 227, 229 that are connected to a controller 223 whose data is supplied over bus 231 to a sensor input circuit 249. Data from sensors 225, 227, 229 can be transmitted to either a gateway control or other wired or wireless nodes in the network. Sensors 225, 227, 229 may include, but are not limited to, sensors for detecting occupancy, pipe integrity, air vents or valve positions, tank level, dynamic fluid flow and pressure, water detection, air quality, and/or ambient temperature. Each monitoring device can be a passive or active RFID device that will tie directly or integrate into the “mesh network” created by the task lighting node. This “backbone” can be used for enabling network communication as well as triangulating the locations.
Thus, an embodiment of the present invention is an integration of overhead task lighting with a wireless transceiver to provide a unique type of network nodes offering a number of novel attributes. The wireless mesh network system includes a group of networked wireless transceivers that are used for communicating data through the mesh network such that the first plurality of wireless transceivers acts solely as a transmitter and receiver. A second plurality of wireless transceivers are used for communicating data through the wireless mesh network such that the second plurality of wireless transceivers are each integrated with an overhead task light. The overhead task light includes a current sensing device and at least one ballast for controlling brightness of one or more bulbs and/or lighting devices providing illumination.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.