FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
AND
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Quantum logic controller for controlling pre-defined lighting equipment in a defined environment
APPLICANTS :
Crompton Greaves Limited, CG House, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, Maharashtra, India, an Indian Company.
INVENTOR (S):
Mahajan Trupti Yashwant and Gawali Nilesh Pundlik both of Crompton Greaves Limited, Electronic Development Centre, CG Global R&D, Kanjur Marg (E), Mumbai - 400042, Maharashtra, India; both Indian Nationals.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of lighting equipment and control systems, thereof.
Particularly, this invention relates to a quantum logic controller for controlling predefined lighting equipment in a defined environment containing a plurality of lighting equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Advent of electricity has resulted in illumination and illuminating articles as a way of overcoming darkness, with ease. Light bulbs went through various stages of development, before an acceptable incandescent lamp was provided by Thomas Edison. Each light bulb or illuminating object or article includes a basic ON and OFF switch. It may further include dimmer controls and circuitry, and control gear to control the ballast and illuminating prowess of the bulb.
Illumination control plays a critical role in electric lighting systems providing the function of turning the light on and off using the switch and adjusting the light output up and down using a dimmer.
Various types of illuminating articles or lights are currently being used. These include bulbs, lamps, tubes, CFL, dimmable lights, halogens, LEDs, or the like. When compared to Incandescent, Fluorescent and CFL lamps, LEDs consume less amount of energy for the same lumen output.

Each light or light article or illuminating article includes a plurality of parameters which define its operations. These operating parameters relate to one or a combination of the following characteristics:
- dimming curve (luminosity or brightness as pitted against excitation level of control gear of ballast);
- ignition point or ignition voltage;
- start time for ignition;
- end time for full luminosity of full brightness;
- ballast logic;
- ballast time;
- Minimum and Maximum power level of the illuminating articles.
A given room can thus be set up with various types of ambient lighting, mood lighting and the like. Setting up luminance of various lights at various locations within a room or even in a given house or in any closed environment requires manual intervention of controlling each and every light or an array of lights. Further, there may be a variety of illuminating articles installed in a given room. These may include different makes and manufacturers of illuminating articles; each article having defined operating parameters and characteristics, as disclosed above, but being different from other articles of the same make but different manufacturer. Further, the illuminating articles may be of different make but same manufacturer or different makes and different manufacturers. This results in a plurality of varying operating parameters and characteristics.
In a given room or in a defined environment, the illuminating articles may be arranged in a pre-defined configuration to appropriately illuminate the room. According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a conference room may

include a set of illuminating articles to illuminate a conference table. There may be another set of illuminating articles to illuminate a chart or a board or a stage or a podium or a presentation area. There may be still another set of illuminating articles to illuminate ambient or auxiliary areas of the room. Thus, a conference room, according to this illustrative embodiment, may be used as a presentation room, a video-conferencing room, an audio-visual room, a meeting room, or the like; each warranting a different play of illumination provided by the illuminating articles.
Depending upon the use of the room for a defined interval of time, the ambient lighting is required to be set up. Merely controlling each independent illuminating article is a cumbersome job. Also, controlling defined areas of illuminating articles requires the illuminating articles to be of the same make and manufacturer to output desired illumination.
There is a need for a system which controls a plurality of illuminating articles in a defined zone in a defined environment taking into consideration the operating parameters of each illuminating article in the defined zone of the defined environment such that a common platform for control is established.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide automatic control of illuminating articles and luminosity in a defined environment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a uniform illuminating effect irrespective of make of illuminating articles.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a uniform illuminating effect irrespective of manufacturer of illuminating articles.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a uniform illuminating effect irrespective of operating parameters of illuminating articles.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a plurality of illumination effects in a defined zone, taking into consideration the variety of operating parameters of illuminating articles.
Yet an additional object of the invention is to provide a plurality of illumination effects in a defined zone, taking into consideration the variety of makes of illuminating articles.
Still an additional object of the invention is to provide a plurality of illumination effects in a defined zone, taking into consideration the variety of manufacturers of illuminating articles.
Another additional object of the invention is to provide modularity in illumination control by accommodating for a variety of illuminating articles in terms of makes or manufacturers without compromising on output uniformity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
For the purposes of this invention, the term, 'illuminating article' is meant to include any object adapted to illuminate such as bulbs, lamps, tubes, CFL, dimmable lights, halogens, LEDs, or the like.

For the purposes of this specification, a 'defined environment' is defined as an enclosure such as a room or a house or an office or a building or the like which incorporates a plurality of illuminating articles controlled by a common control.
According to this invention, there is provided a quantum logic controller system for controlling pre-defined lighting equipment in a defined environment, containing a plurality of lighting equipment, said controller comprises:
a. zone defining means adapted to define said defined environment in terms of
placement of illuminating articles in said defined environment;
b. illuminating article defining means adapted to define a plurality of
illuminating articles in terms of its operating parameters; and
c. controller adapted to receive inputs from said zone defining means and
inputs from said illuminating article defining means and further adapted to
rationalize (equalize) each of said inputs, using pre-defined mathematical
models, on a common platform to provide differential control outputs for
each of said illuminating articles in order to provide uniform luminance in
said defined zone irrespective of make or manufacturer of each of said
illuminating articles.
Typically, said controller is a quantum logic controller.
Typically, said system comprises a digital to analog converter means adapted to receive digital signals from the controller means and from the auxiliary controller means to be converted to analog signals given to dimmer circuitry, control gear, or ballast of each of the illuminating articles connected with the controller means or the auxiliary controller means.

Typically, said system comprises operating parameter defining means adapted to define at least an operating parameter selected from a group of operating parameters consisting of dimming curve parameters, ignition point parameter, ignition voltage parameter, start time parameter for ignition, end time parameter for full luminosity of full brightness, parameter for type of electronic control gears (ballast logic), ballast time parameter, and Minimum and Maximum power level parameters of the illuminating articles.
Additionally, said system comprises an auxiliary controller means adapted to input auxiliary parameters including time and date of the year in order to vary output of controller means, accordingly in order to account for luminance in accordance with time, thereby accounting for daily changes in external luminance with respect to time, as well as in accordance with the day of the year, thereby accounting for seasonal changes in external luminance with respect to time.
Typically, said zone defining means includes geometric parameter defining means adapted to define geometric parameters for defining said defined environment in terms of geometric parameters.
Typically, said zone defining means includes placement defining means adapted to define placement of each of said illuminating articles in the defined environment.
Typically, said zone defining means includes placement defining means adapted to define placement of sets of said illuminating articles, defined together in a defined sub-zone, in said defined environment.

Preferably, said controller includes user input defining means adapted to receive user inputs in order to define graph points per zone to create user defined zone setting.
According to this invention, there is also provided a quantum logic controller method for controlling pre-defined lighting equipment in a defined environment, containing a plurality of lighting equipment, said method comprises the steps of: i. defining said defined environment in terms of placement of illuminating
articles in said defined environment; ii. defining a plurality of illuminating articles in terms of its operating
parameters; and iii. receiving inputs from said zone defining means and inputs from said illuminating article defining means and further rationalizing (equalizing) each of said inputs, using pre-defined mathematical models, on a common platform to provide differential control outputs for each of said illuminating articles in order to provide uniform luminance in said defined zone irrespective of make or manufacturer of each of said illuminating articles.
Typically, said method comprising the step of defining at least an operating parameter selected from a group of operating parameters consisting of dimming curve parameters, ignition point parameter, ignition voltage parameter, start time parameter for ignition, end time parameter for full luminosity of full brightness, parameter for type of electronic control gears (ballast logic), ballast time parameter, and Minimum and Maximum power level parameters of the illuminating articles.
Additionally, said method comprising the step of including time and date of the year in order to vary output of controller means, accordingly in order to account for

luminance in accordance with time, thereby accounting for daily changes in external luminance with respect to time, as well as in accordance with the day of the year, thereby accounting for seasonal changes in external luminance with respect to time.
Typically, said step of defining zones includes the step of defining geometric parameters for defining said defined environment in terms of geometric parameters.
Typically, said step of defining zones includes the step of defining placement of each of said illuminating articles in the defined environment.
Typically, said step of defining zones includes the step of defining placement of sets of said illuminating articles, defined together in a defined sub-zone, in said defined environment.
Typically, said method of rationalizing includes the step of receiving user inputs in order to define graph points per zone to create user defined zone setting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of the controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
According to this invention, there is provided a quantum logic controller for controlling pre-defined lighting equipment in a defined environment containing a plurality of lighting equipment.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of the controller.
In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is provided a zone defining means (ZDM) adapted to define the defined environment in terms of placement of illuminating articles in the defined environment. It may include geometric parameters for defining the defined environment in terms of geometric parameters. It may further include placement of each illuminating article in the defined environment. Sets of illuminating articles may be defined together to define at least one sub-zone in the defined zone in accordance with the zone defining means.
In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, there is provided an illuminating article defining means (ADM) adapted to define a plurality of
illuminating articles (LI, L2, ,Ln) in terms of its operating parameters. Each
illuminating article has different operating parameters.
These operating parameters relate to one or a combination of the following
characteristics: I. dimming curve (luminosity or brightness as pitted against excitation level of control gear of ballast):
In case of dimming, all the electronic ballasts follows their own dimming characteristics / curve as per their type and manufacturer. The dimming

curve also depends on the type of lamp it drives. Most of them follow nonlinear curve of dimming versus light intensity outputs.
■ ignition point or ignition voltage
■ start time for ignition:
II. Different types of lamps have their own pre-heating characteristics. These factors have to be considered when any scene demands to turn the lamp ON from OFF condition.
o end time for full luminosity of full brightness o type of electronic control gears (ballast logic):
III. Varieties of ballasts are available and used for lighting. Electronic ballasts can be digital ballasts like DSI (Digital Signal Interface), DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) or it can be analog ballasts which uses 1-10 volt for dimming. For Halogen lamps, phase cutting dimmers are more popular.
> ballast time
> Minimum and Maximum power level of the illuminating articles:
Different types of ballast / lamps have different minimum and maximum output power thresholds mentioned by the manufacturer.
Thus, each type of illuminating article is pre-defined by the illuminating article defining means. In this definition, the variations in the operating parameters which define the characteristics of the illuminating articles are defined on a common platform. Thus, a 10% desired increase in brightness across a combination of illuminating articles of different make and different manufacturer should translate

into a corresponding calculated change in the defined operating parameters to achieve a uniform 10% increase in brightness.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a controller (QCM) adapted to receive inputs from the zone defining means and inputs from the illuminating article defining means. The controller is a quantum logic controller. Quantum logic uses various mathematical models to figure out values that are to be given at output control modules. This is useful to rationalize (equalize) the luminance output of different types of dimmable control gears and different make illuminating articles and different manufacturer illuminating articles as well. User input (UI) is permitted to decide graph points per zone to create user defined zone setting.
Typically, different types of luminaries along with its specific electronic ballasts are integrated together in one conference room. As well as they participate together to give special effects in the room. In such cases the output of different types of lamps need to be rationalized to get the uniform effect. This work is done by the quantum logic, which also enhances the customer's comfort.
In accordance with an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided an auxiliary controller means (ACM) adapted to input time and date of the year in order to vary output of controller means, accordingly in order to account for luminance in accordance with time, thereby accounting for daily changes in external luminance with respect to time, as well as in accordance with the day of the year, thereby accounting for seasonal changes in external luminance with respect to time. This results in additional dynamism to the controller and system of this invention.

Thus, currently the scenes are always configured with similar types of illuminating articles and ballast in a group. This addition in the controller gives users more flexibility to select the light fittings or find a replacement.
In accordance with another additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a digital to analog converter means (DAM) adapted to receive digital signals from the controller means and from the auxiliary controller means to be converted to analog signals given to dimmer circuitry, control gear, or ballast of each of the illuminating articles connected with the controller means or the auxiliary controller means.
Consider, for a typical case, say there are two analog type ballasts from manufacturers A and B respectively, wherein the minimum levels are 10% and 15% respectively and maximum level is 100%. So, when a scene demands minimum power level, the quantum logic of the quantum controller will command both ballast 15% only so as to create a uniform level at the output.
While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments of the present invention for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

We claim,
1. A quantum logic controller system for controlling pre-defined lighting equipment in a defined environment, containing a plurality of lighting equipment, said controller comprising:
a. zone defining means adapted to define said defined environment in
terms of placement of illuminating articles in said defined
environment;
b. illuminating article defining means adapted to define a plurality of
illuminating articles in terms of its operating parameters; and
c. controller adapted to receive inputs from said zone defining means
and inputs from said illuminating article defining means and further
adapted to rationalize (equalize) each of said inputs, using pre-defined
mathematical models, on a common platform to provide differential
control outputs for each of said illuminating articles in order to
provide uniform luminance in said defined zone irrespective of make
or manufacturer of each of said illuminating articles.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said controller is a quantum logic controller.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising a digital to analog converter means adapted to receive digital signals from the controller means and from the auxiliary controller means to be converted to analog signals given to dimmer circuitry, control gear, or ballast of each of the illuminating articles connected with the controller means or the auxiliary controller means.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising operating parameter defining means adapted to define at least an operating parameter selected from a group of operating parameters consisting of dimming curve parameters, ignition point parameter, ignition voltage parameter, start time parameter for ignition, end time parameter for full luminosity of full brightness, parameter for type of electronic control gears (ballast logic), ballast time parameter, and Minimum and Maximum power level parameters of the illuminating articles.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system comprising an auxiliary controller means adapted to input auxiliary parameters including time and date of the year in order to vary output of controller means, accordingly in order to account for luminance in accordance with time, thereby accounting for daily changes in external luminance with respect to time, as well as in accordance with the day of the year, thereby accounting for seasonal changes in external luminance with respect to time.
6. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said zone defining means includes geometric parameter defining means adapted to define geometric parameters for defining said defined environment in terms of geometric parameters.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said zone defining means includes placement defining means adapted to define placement of each of said illuminating articles in the defined environment.
8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said zone defining means includes placement defining means adapted to define placement of sets of said

illuminating articles, defined together in a defined sub-zone, in said defined environment.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said controller includes user input defining means adapted to receive user inputs in order to define graph points per zone to create user defined zone setting.
10. A quantum logic controller method for controlling pre-defined lighting equipment in a defined environment, containing a plurality of lighting equipment, said method comprising the steps of:
i. defining said defined environment in terms of placement of
illuminating articles in said defined environment; ii. defining a plurality of illuminating articles in terms of its operating
parameters; and iii. receiving inputs from said zone defining means and inputs from said illuminating article defining means and further rationalizing (equalizing) each of said inputs, using pre-defined mathematical models, on a common platform to provide differential control outputs for each of said illuminating articles in order to provide uniform luminance in said defined zone irrespective of make or manufacturer of each of said illuminating articles.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein, said method comprising the step
of defining at least an operating parameter selected from a group of
operating parameters consisting of dimming curve parameters, ignition point
parameter, ignition voltage parameter, start time parameter for ignition, end
time parameter for full luminosity of full brightness, parameter for type of

electronic control gears (ballast logic), ballast time parameter, and Minimum and Maximum power level parameters of the illuminating articles.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein, said method comprising the step of including time and date of the year in order to vary output of controller means, accordingly in order to account for luminance in accordance with time, thereby accounting for daily changes in external luminance with respect to time, as well as in accordance with the day of the year, thereby accounting for seasonal changes in external luminance with respect to time.
13. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein, said step of defining zones includes the step of defining geometric parameters for defining said defined environment in terms of geometric parameters.
14. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein, said step of defining zones includes the step of defining placement of each of said illuminating articles in the defined environment.
15. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein, said step of defining zones includes the step of defining placement of sets of said illuminating articles, defined together in a defined sub-zone, in said defined environment.
16. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein, said method of rationalizing includes the step of receiving user inputs in order to define graph points per zone to create user defined zone setting.