Method and apparatus for the zonal transmission of data using building lighting fixtures

Abstract

This invention relates to systems and methods for the transmission of data by a wireless controller connected between a power source and a lighting device. The wireless controller wirelessly receives control signals to control dimming and on/off operation of the lighting device. Furthermore, energy use of the lighting device is monitored and information about the energy use is sent wirelessly to a receiver.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A wireless controller configured for connection between a power source and a ballast, comprising:
 a control signal circuit configured to wirelessly receive control signals to control dimming and on/off operation of the ballast;   a switching circuit configured to control power to the ballast in accordance with the wirelessly received control signal; and   a monitor circuit configured to:
 monitor energy use controlled by the control circuit, including energy use of the ballast or one or more luminaires associated with the ballast, and 
 wirelessly send information about the energy use to a receiver. 
   
     
     
         22 . The wireless controller of  claim 21  wherein the control signal is decoded in one or more computer processors with an algorithm. 
     
     
         23 . The wireless controller of  claim 21  wherein the one or more computer processors comprises at least a microprocessor. 
     
     
         24 . The wireless controller of  claim 21  wherein the receiver is at least one of the group consisting of: a peer device, a host computer, and a remote host computer. 
     
     
         25 . The wireless controller of  claim 21  wherein the switching circuit is configured to control the power to the ballast with one or more computer processors that execute an algorithm. 
     
     
         26 . The wireless controller of  claim 21  further comprising an optical light sensor configured to measure a light level. 
     
     
         27 . The wireless controller of  claim 21  wherein the switching circuit is further configured to encode a message as an optical signal by generating a plurality of frequencies to modulate electrical energy supplied to each luminaire so as to modify light output level. 
     
     
         28 . The wireless controller of  claim 21  further comprising a microprocessor enabled control circuit configured to transmit an encoded message via power lines to a base station. 
     
     
         29 . A method of wireless controlling a ballast, comprising:
 wirelessly receiving control signals at a control signal circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to control dimming and on/off operation of the ballast;   controlling the power provided to a ballast in accordance with the wirelessly received control signal;   
       monitoring energy use controlled by the control circuit, including energy use of the ballast or one or more of the luminaires associated with the ballast, and
 wirelessly sending information about the energy use to a receiver. 
 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the control signal is decoded in one or more computer processors with an algorithm. 
     
     
         31 . The wireless controller of  claim 29  wherein the one or more computer processors comprises at least a microprocessor. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the receiver is at least one of the group consisting of: a peer device, a host computer, and a remote host computer. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising controlling the power to the ballast with one or more computer processors that execute an algorithm. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising measuring a light level with an optical light sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising encoding a message as an optical signal by generating a plurality of frequencies to modulate electrical energy supplied to each luminaire so as to modify light output level. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising a microprocessor enabled control circuit configured to transmit an encoded message via power lines to a base station. 
     
     
         37 . A wireless controller configured for connection between a power source and an LED power circuit, comprising:
 a control signal circuit configured to wirelessly receive control signals to control dimming and on/off operation of the LED power circuit;   a switching circuit configured to control power to the LED power circuit in accordance with the wirelessly received control signal; and   a monitor circuit configured to:
 monitor energy use controlled by the control circuit, including energy use of the LED power circuit or one or more luminaires associated with the LED power circuit, and 
 wirelessly send information about the energy use to a receiver. 
   
     
     
         38 . The wireless controller of  claim 37  wherein the control signal is decoded in one or more computer processors with an algorithm. 
     
     
         39 . The wireless controller of  claim 37  wherein the one or more computer processors comprises at least a microprocessor. 
     
     
         40 . The wireless controller of  claim 37  wherein the receiver is at least one of the group consisting of: a peer device, a host computer, and a remote host computer. 
     
     
         41 . The wireless controller of  claim 37  wherein the switching circuit is configured to control the power to the LED power circuit with one or more computer processors that execute an algorithm. 
     
     
         42 . The wireless controller of  claim 37  further comprising an optical light sensor configured to measure a light level. 
     
     
         43 . The wireless controller of  claim 37  wherein the switching circuit is further configured to encode a message as an optical signal by generating a plurality of frequencies to modulate electrical energy supplied to each luminaire so as to modify light output level. 
     
     
         44 . The wireless controller of  claim 37  further comprising a microprocessor enabled control circuit configured to transmit an encoded message via power lines to a base station. 
     
     
         45 . A method of wireless controlling an LED power circuit, comprising:
 wirelessly receiving control signals at a control signal circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to control dimming and on/off operation of the LED power circuit;   controlling the power provided to an LED power circuit in accordance with the wirelessly received control signal;   monitoring energy use controlled by the control circuit, including energy use of the LED power circuit or one or more of the luminaires associated with the LED power circuit, and   wirelessly sending information about the energy use to a receiver.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the control signal is decoded in one or more computer processors with an algorithm. 
     
     
         47 . The wireless controller of  claim 45  wherein the one or more computer processors comprises at least a microprocessor. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the receiver is at least one of the group consisting of: a peer device, a host computer, and a remote host computer. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising controlling the power to the LED power circuit with one or more computer processors that execute an algorithm. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising measuring a light level with an optical light sensor. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising encoding a message as an optical signal by generating a plurality of frequencies to modulate electrical energy supplied to each luminaire so as to modify light output level. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising a microprocessor enabled control circuit configured to transmit an encoded message via power lines to a base station.