Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dimming light emitting diode (LED) lamps. A control unit is coupled to a dimmer and LED lamp. The dimmer receives power from an AC source and determines a phase angle of the AC power. The dimmer provides DC power to the lamp based on the phase angle. The control unit sends a control signal to the dimmer during a first portion of each half sine-wave of the received AC power. The control signal causes the dimmer to modify at least one function of the lamp. A plurality of LED lamps may be associated with a single dimmer, and the dimmer may individually instruct the lamps to modify their operational characteristics. The dimmer may send an operational signal back to the control unit. The operational signal may represent end of life information for the associated LED lamp. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor is disclosed including a passive infrared (PIR) sensing element, a temperature sensing element, and a processor. The processor receives temperature signals from the temperature sensing element and configures the occupancy sensor into a selected operating mode based the received temperature signal. The operating mode may be associated with a predetermined sensing threshold of the PIR sensing element. The processor controls an associated load based on the selected operating mode and the received occupancy signals. The occupancy sensor can alternatively include an occupancy sensing element and a photodetector. Based on the amount of light detected by the photodetector over time, the occupancy sensor can calculate a rough estimate of time of day, and can automatically adjust one or more sensing and/or operational characteristics based on that time of day determination. A photosensor may implement daylight harvesting based on different light levels associated with different times of day.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of LED lighting fixtures includes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) LED driver coupleable to a PoE switch via a first power and communication link. The PoE LED driver includes a microcontroller for receiving first power and control signals from the PoE switch and for controlling a first LED driver chip to operate an LED lighting fixture in response thereto. An LED slave controller is connected to the PoE LED driver via a second power and communication link. The LED slave controller includes a second LED driver chip for receiving second power and control signals from the microcontroller to operate an LED lighting fixture in response. The first power and control signals are different from the second power and control signals. The first power and communication link is a CAT5/CAT6 cable. The second power and communication link is a CAT5/CAT6 or other cable type.

Abstract: A digital lighting control network protocol with forward and backward frames, each of the frames including an error check code. A no-acknowledgment (NAK) signal is sent from a receiving node to a transmitting node responsive to the error check code. An interface circuit of the receiving node may include an energy storage section to store at least some energy from the network while receiving digital signals, and an output section to transmit digital signals to the network using the stored energy. The interface circuit may also include a high voltage buffer circuit. The transmitting node may send forward frames to receiving nodes based on device type.

Abstract: A module including a case; an electrical switching device configured to control power to a load; and a controller coupled to the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device and the controller are substantially encapsulated by the case. Functionality of the module can be exposed through a communication interface in the case.

Abstract: A method includes energizing an ultrasound driver to emit ultrasonic energy in a space, sensing ultrasonic energy within the space, determining an occupancy condition of the space in response to sensing ultrasonic energy reflected from the ultrasound driver, and determining the occupancy condition of the space in response to sensing ultrasonic energy in the space that was not emitted by the ultrasound driver.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing fail-safe operation of an occupancy sensor so that a load associated with the sensor will be energized in the event that the sensor malfunctions. Short voltage pulses are applied to a signal line by an occupancy sensor. A load control device recognizes the pulses as an indication that the sensor is in a healthy condition. If the load control device does not recognize the voltage pulses, it assumes the sensor is faulty and energizes the load (light) associated with the monitored space. The voltage pulses are different from the normal signals sent by the sensor to the load control device that indicate an “occupied” condition of the space. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method includes energizing an ultrasound driver to emit ultrasonic energy in a space, sensing ultrasonic energy within the space, determining an occupancy condition of the space in response to sensing ultrasonic energy reflected from the ultrasound driver, and determining the occupancy condition of the space in response to sensing ultrasonic energy in the space that was not emitted by the ultrasound driver.

Abstract: A digital lighting control network protocol with forward and backward frames, each of the frames including an error check code. A no-acknowledgment (NAK) signal is sent from a receiving node to a transmitting node responsive to the error check code. An interface circuit of the receiving node may include an energy storage section to store at least some energy from the network while receiving digital signals, and an output section to transmit digital signals to the network using the stored energy. The interface circuit may also include a high voltage buffer circuit. The transmitting node may send forward frames to receiving nodes based on device type.

Abstract: A pair of eyeglasses is provided that includes a frame having hinge joints coupled to opposite ends of the frame and a pair of temple members pivotally coupled to the hinge joints. When in use, the temple members may be pivoted about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation between an extended or open position where the temple members are space apart and parallel to one other, and a folded or closed position where one member is folded over the other in an area behind the eyeglass frame.

Abstract: An occupancy sensing system includes a driver to emit energy in a space, and a sensor to detect energy reflected within the space. An electrical load for the space is controlled in response to an occupancy condition determined in response to the detected energy. The driver may be selectively de-energized. In some embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an unoccupied period. In other embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an occupied period. In some further embodiments, the driver may be de-energized in response to detecting other sources of the type of energy emitted by the driver.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dimming light emitting diode (LED) lamps. A control unit is coupled to a dimmer and LED lamp. The dimmer receives power from an AC source and determines a phase angle of the AC power. The dimmer provides DC power to the lamp based on the phase angle. The control unit sends a control signal to the dimmer during a first portion of each half sine-wave of the received AC power. The control signal causes the dimmer to modify at least one function of the lamp. A plurality of LED lamps may be associated with a single dimmer, and the dimmer may individually instruct the lamps to modify their operational characteristics. The dimmer may send an operational signal back to the control unit. The operational signal may represent end of life information for the associated LED lamp. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A digital lighting control network protocol with forward and backward frames, each of the frames including an error check code. A no-acknowledgment (NAK) signal is sent from a receiving node to a transmitting node responsive to the error check code. An interface circuit of the receiving node may include an energy storage section to store at least some energy from the network while receiving digital signals, and an output section to transmit digital signals to the network using the stored energy. The interface circuit may also include a high voltage buffer circuit. The transmitting node may send forward frames to receiving nodes based on device type.

Abstract: A module including a case; an electrical switching device configured to control power to a load; and a controller coupled to the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device and the controller are substantially encapsulated by the case. Functionality of the module can be exposed through a communication interface in the case.

Abstract: An occupancy sensing system includes a vacate input to cause the system to turn lights on without substantial delay when a monitored space becomes occupied after turning the load off in response to the vacate input. A special vacate input may be eliminated by determining, in response to a manual-off input, if the space has been vacated. A dead time may be included to prevent the lights from being turned back on by movement that is detected as occupants vacate the monitored space after pressing a vacate or manual-OFF button.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling an automatic calibration sequence for a light control system having a daylight harvesting scheme is disclosed herein. An ambient light sensor connects to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone. A microprocessor connects between the detection circuit and a dimming circuit for providing control to initiate dimming and to start the auto-calibration sequence. Responsive to the amount of ambient light detected, the dimming circuit controls the power supplied to a plurality of electrical loads. A storage unit connects to the microprocessor for storing minimum light levels assessed during the auto-calibration sequence wherein the ambient light levels are monitored for a predetermined amount of time to determine the lowest level of ambient light generated for the purpose of setting and storing a target voltage level associated with such.

Abstract: An occupancy sensing system includes a driver to emit energy in a space, and a sensor to detect energy reflected within the space. An electrical load for the space is controlled in response to an occupancy condition determined in response to the detected energy. The driver may be selectively de-energized. In some embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an unoccupied period. In other embodiments, the driver may be de-energized during all or a portion of an occupied period. In some further embodiments, the driver may be de-energized in response to detecting other sources of the type of energy emitted by the driver.

Abstract: A multi-zone daylight harvesting method and apparatus having a closed loop system utilizing a single light sensor is disclosed herein. This light control system includes an ambient light sensor connected to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone and converting the light signal to an digital one. A control device couples to receive a predetermined rate of change for each respective zone from a storage unit along with the converted digital signal. The control device connects each zone of a plurality of electrical loads to control the power supplied to the electrical load at the predetermined corresponding rate of change and responsive to the amount of ambient light detected.

Abstract: A module including a case; an electrical switching device configured to control power to a load; and a controller coupled to the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device and the controller are substantially encapsulated by the case. Functionality of the module can be exposed through a communication interface in the case.

Abstract: A module including a case; an electrical switching device configured to control power to a load; and a controller coupled to the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device and the controller are substantially encapsulated by the case. Functionality of the module can be exposed through a communication interface in the case.