Patent classifications
H05B37/04
Apparatus and method for switch state detection and controlling electrical power
A device includes a connection receiving power from a power source under normal conditions and circuitry configured to determine, based on an input from the connection, when the power from the power source is absent; output, when the power source is absent, a test signal at the connection; and generate a detection signal based on current flow generated following the output of the test signal, wherein the detection signal indicates a position of a switch connecting the circuitry to the connection and the generated detection signal indicates the switch is closed when the current flow is above a threshold. The circuitry is configured such that when the power from the power source is absent, the switch is closed, and plural devices are connected on the supply side of the switch, the plurality of devices on the supply side appear as a substantially open circuit to the test signal.
Automated commissioning for lighting control systems
Wireless lighting control systems and methods for controlling the illumination of one or more light fixtures are disclosed, including self-commissioning of hardware. Embodiments include a server connected to a wide area network and having software for configuring, monitoring, and controlling lighting fixtures at a site. The control system also includes a wireless gateway at the site initiating communication with the server via a cellular network. Wireless devices initiate communication with the wireless gateway via a mesh network and each wireless device can be wired to control at least one lighting fixture. Once hardware of the site system (e.g., a gateway and/or any device) is mounted or positioned in the appropriate location and powered on, the hardware will self-commission by automatically initiating communications. The gateway will initiate communication and identify itself to server system. When the devices are powered on, they identify themselves to the gateway and the gateway can inform the server system of the devices.
Dynamic information display for building occupants
A method and system of dynamically displaying information to a user is disclosed. A user's location is sensed. Customized information is displayed to the user at a location that is in proximity to the user. The customized information moves as the as the user changes location.
Detection of single short-LED in LED chains
The disclosure is directed to a circuit that may detect a single short in a chain of loads, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The circuit may drive either multiple LED chains or a single LED chain to determine whether one, or more, of the LEDs in the LED chain is no longer working because of a short. The circuit determines whether the LED chain voltage satisfies a threshold based on a single LED voltage drop. Therefore, the same circuit may be used for applications regardless of the number of LEDs in an LED chain. Additionally, the circuit, according to the techniques of this disclosure may use may use no output pins, other than those used to deliver current to LED chains, regardless of the number of LED chains that the circuit drives.
Foldable display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A foldable display apparatus, a method of manufacturing the same, and a controlling method of the same are disclosed. The foldable display apparatus includes a substrate including a metal thin film and an insulating layer provided on the metal thin film, an organic light-emitting unit formed on the substrate and emitting light in an direction away from the substrate, and a thin film encapsulating layer for encapsulating the organic light-emitting unit. The foldable display apparatus may be folded in a direction such that the metal thin film is exposed.
Brightness monitoring for LED failures and daylighting target adjusting
A system monitors operational status of a lighting element. A lighting fixture processor instructs a lighting element to illuminate at a predetermined time, receives sensed light level information from the light sensing element, and transmits a message including information representing the sensed light level. A room controller can control some or all of these steps. A daylighting arrangement includes a room controller that instructs the lighting fixtures of a lighting group to illuminate their lighting elements at a predetermined time of day. Sensed light level information is obtained and transmitted to the room controller, which determines an initial daylighting target for the lighting fixture group based on an average of the sensed light level information. The room controller instructs the lighting fixtures to illuminate their respective lighting elements in accordance with the initial daylighting target.
Wireless lighting control systems and methods
Wireless lighting control systems and methods for controlling the illumination of one or more light fixtures are disclosed. Embodiments include a server connected to a wide area network and having software for configuring, monitoring, and controlling lighting fixtures at a site. The control system also includes a wireless gateway at the site communicating with the server via cellular. Wireless devices communicate with the wireless gateway via a mesh network and each wireless device is wired to control at least one lighting fixture. A user interface can connect to the wide area network and enable a user to access server control software. Control instructions entered on the server by the user interface are communicated from the server to the wireless gateway and to the wireless devices. A user site device may be connected to the site mesh network enabling a user to configure, monitor, and control lighting fixtures at the site.
Control method for information apparatus and computer-readable recording medium
A control method causing a computer of the information apparatus to: display a display screen on the display, the display screen representing a floor plan for one floor including at least two rooms; display device icons representing target devices on the display screen, the device icons including an illumination icon which represents illumination devices, the illumination icon being commonly used for the illumination devices installed in two or more rooms of the at least two rooms; and cause the floor plan represented by the display screen to function as an operation screen for controlling the illumination devices, and display a region of the floor plan with brightness less than specific brightness, when it is sensed that the illumination icon is selected, the region corresponding to a room in which an illumination device whose power is in an off state is installed.
Lighting-control processor and method for operating a lighting-control processor
A lighting-control processor (100, 300) for controlling operation of an external lighting unit comprises an exchange control unit, which is configured to control exchange of lighting-control information with the lighting unit via a lighting-control interface in accordance with an exchange protocol and to generate and provide exchange monitoring information indicative of an operational status of the exchange control unit. A reset unit is configured to receive a soft-reset command and to cause a soft reset of the lighting-control processor upon receiving the soft-reset command. An exchange watchdog unit is configured to receive the exchange monitoring information, determine validity of the exchange monitoring information in accordance with a predefined validity criterion, and to provide the soft-reset command upon detecting that the received exchange monitoring information is not valid.
Connected lighting system
Techniques are described for a lighting system in which light sources are controllable using signals sent over a wireless mesh network. During a commissioning process, a user interface (UI) may present a representation of nodes (e.g., light sources, sensors, controllers, etc.) that are broadcasting a wireless advertising signal. In response to a selection of a particular node, a wireless message may be sent to instruct the selected node to provide a visual indication of its presence, such as a flashing light. The visual indication may enable a user to discern the physical location of the node, such that each node may be added to the mesh network and, in some instances, to a group of nodes. The UI may also enable the definition of scenes, where each scene describes the brightness level or other operating characteristics of particular light source(s) and/or group(s) of light sources when the scene is active.