Claims:
1. A system for capturing sensor data in a lighting control network, the system comprising:
a control unit connected to a dimmer unit over a wired communication bus, wherein the control unit comprising:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory for:
transmitting a unique identifier message to the dimmer unit;
receiving an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit in response to the unique identifier message;
capturing sensor data from the dimmer unit, after receiving the acknowledgment message, by:
transmitting, using a reserved command of the wired communication bus, instructions to the dimmer unit for receiving sensor data, wherein the sensor data is captured by the dimmer unit from at least one sensor attached to the dimmer unit, and
receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit in response to the instructions received from the control unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the acknowledgement message is received from the dimmer unit, if the dimmer unit is a registered dimmer unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wired communication bus is a DALI bus, and wherein the dimmer unit is configured to transmit the sensor data over the DALI bus using a DALI communication protocol.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is processed by the control unit for generating the control signal.

5. A method for capturing sensor data in a lighting control network, the method comprising steps of:
transmitting, by a processor of a control unit, a unique identifier message to a dimmer unit;
receiving, by the processor, an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit in response to the unique identifier message;
capturing, by the processor, sensor data from the dimmer unit, after receiving the acknowledgment message, by:
transmitting, using a reserved command of a wired communication bus, instructions to the dimmer unit for receiving sensor data, wherein the sensor data is captured by the dimmer unit from at least one sensor attached to the dimmer unit, and
receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit in response to the instructions received from the processor in the control unit.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the acknowledgement message is received from the dimmer unit, if the dimmer unit is a registered dimmer unit.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the wired communication bus is a DALI bus, and wherein the dimmer unit is configured to transmit the sensor data over the DALI bus using a DALI communication protocol.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the sensor data is processed by the control unit for generating the control signal.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a program executable in a computing device for capturing sensor data in a lighting control network, the computer program product comprising:
a program code for transmitting a unique identifier message from a control unit to a dimmer unit;
a program code for receiving an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit in response to the unique identifier message;
a program code for capturing sensor data from the dimmer unit, after receiving the acknowledgment message, by:
transmitting, using a reserved command of a wired communication bus, instructions to the dimmer unit for receiving sensor data, wherein the sensor data is captured by the dimmer unit from at least one sensor attached to the dimmer unit, and
receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit in response to the instructions received from the control unit.
, Description:
FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING SENSOR DATA IN A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM

Applicant:
Arraystorm Lighting Pvt Ltd
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having Address at No. 140, 4th Phase,
Bommasandra Industrial Area,
Bangalore- 560099, Karnataka, India

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] The present application does not claim priority from any patent application.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present disclosure in general relates to lighting control systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for capturing sensor data in a lighting control system.

BACKGROUND
[003] Nowadays, Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights are by far the lowest power consuming source of light that are commercially viable. It is a well-known fact that LED lights consume far lesser power as compared to conventional lighting. However, the exact amount of savings of electricity in real-time environment such as lighting control systems cannot be determined easily. For determining the electricity consumed and health of LED lights, sensors are used, which can measure the power consumption in real time and help in enhancing the power saving to a very large extent.
[004] There are a number of advantages of using a combination of sensors alongside with the lighting control system. The sensor enabled lighting control systems not only measure power consumption but also occupancy under LED, temperature, and amount of light in the surrounding. With the sensor information the intensity of the lights can be controlled in a better manner and the amount of power saved can be increased. Further, the information captured by the sensors can be used for analysis to generate a lighting plan for maximizing the power usage. However, the cost of maintaining separate communication channels for controlling lights and capturing sensor data is very high.

SUMMARY

[005] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to systems and methods for capturing sensor data in a lighting system and the aspects are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[006] In one embodiment, a system for capturing sensor data in a lighting control network is illustrated. The system comprises a control unit connected to a dimmer unit over a wired communication bus. The control unit comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory. The processor may execute a programmed instruction stored in the memory for transmitting a unique identifier message to the dimmer unit and receive an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit in response to the unique identifier message. Further, the processor may execute a programmed instruction for capturing sensor data from the dimmer unit, after receiving the acknowledgment message from the dimmer unit. For the purpose of capturing sensor data, the processor may execute a programmed instruction to transmit instructions, to the dimmer unit, for receiving sensor data. Further, the processor may execute a programmed instruction for receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit after the instructions are transmitted to the dimmer unit. In one embodiment, the sensor data may be captured by the dimmer unit from at least one sensor attached to the dimmer unit.
[007] In one embodiment, a method for capturing sensor data in a lighting control network is illustrated. The method comprises processor implemented steps of transmitting a unique identifier message to a dimmer unit from a control unit. Further, the method comprises processor implemented steps of receiving an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit in response to the unique identifier message. Further, the method comprises processor implemented steps of capturing sensor data from the dimmer unit by transmitting, using a reserved command of a wired communication bus, instructions to the dimmer unit for receiving sensor data. Furthermore, the method comprises processor implemented steps of receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit in response to the transmitted instructions. In one embodiment, the sensor data may be captured by the dimmer unit from at least one sensor attached to the dimmer unit.
[008] In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a program executable in a computing device for capturing sensor data in a lighting control network is illustrated. The program comprises a program code for transmitting a unique identifier message from a control unit to a dimmer unit. Further, the program comprises a program code for receiving an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit in response to the unique identifier message. Furthermore, the program comprises a program code for capturing sensor data from the dimmer unit, after receiving the acknowledgment message, wherein the sensor data is captured by transmitting instructions, to the dimmer unit, for receiving sensor data captured by the dimmer unit from at least one sensor attached to the dimmer unit. The program comprises a program code for receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit after the instructions for receiving sensor data are transmitted to the dimmer unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.
[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a network implementation of a system for capturing sensor data from a lighting control network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0011] Figure 2 illustrates the system for capturing sensor data from the lighting control network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart to enable the system for capturing sensor data from the lighting control network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The present subject matter relates to a system for capturing sensor data in a lighting control network. The system comprises a control unit connected to a dimmer unit over a wired communication bus. In one embodiment, the control unit comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory. In one embodiment, the processor may execute programmed instructions stored in the memory for transmitting a unique identifier message to the dimmer unit and receive an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit in response to the unique identifier message.
[0014] Further, after receiving the acknowledgment message, the processor may execute a programmed instruction for capturing sensor data from the dimmer unit. For the purpose of capturing the sensor data, initially the processor may transmit instructions, to the dimmer unit, for receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit. In response to the instructions, the dimmer unit may transmit sensor data to the control unit. Further, the processor may execute a programmed instruction for receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit.
[0015] While aspects of described system and method for capturing sensor data may be implemented in any number of different computing systems, environments, and/or configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system.
[0016] Referring now to Figure 1, a network implementation 100 of the system 102 for capturing sensor data, is disclosed. Although the present subject matter is explained considering that the system 102 is implemented on a server, it may be understood that the system 102 may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, and the like. In one implementation, the system 102 may be implemented in a cloud-based environment. It will be understood that the system 102 may be accessed by multiple users through one or more display’s connected to the system 102, hereafter user devices 104-1, 104-2…104-N, collectively referred to as user devices 104. Examples of the user devices 104 may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The user devices 104 are communicatively coupled to the system 102 through a network 106.
[0017] In one implementation, the network 106 may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network 106 can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The network 106 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further the network 106 may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.
[0018] In one embodiment, the system 102 comprises of a control unit 108, dimmer unit(s) 110, sensors 114, and lighting unit(s) 116 connected to the dimmer unit(s) 110. In one embodiment, the control unit 108 is connected to the dimmer unit(s) 110 through a wired communication bus 112, wherein the wired communication bus may be a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) bus. Further, each dimmer unit 110 is assigned a unique identifier code. This unique identifier code is used to establish communication between the dimmer unit 110 and the control unit 108. Further, each dimmer unit 110 is connected to a lighting unit 116 by default. Further, the dimmer unit 110 may or may not be connected to the sensors 114. In one embodiment, the lighting unit 116 may be LED light fixture.
[0019] In one embodiment, the control unit 108 comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory. The processor may execute programmed instructions stored in the memory for transmitting a unique identifier message to each of the dimmer unit(s) 110. The unique identifier message is a combination of 8-bit address of the dimmer unit 110 and a unique identifier code. The unique identifier message is transmitted to the dimmer unit by the wired communication bus 112. The unique identifier message is configured to identify if a dimmer unit is a third party dimmer unit or a dimmer unit registered with the system 102. If the dimmer unit 110 is registered with the system 102, the dimmer unit 110 is configured to respond to the unique identifier message with an acknowledgement message. Once the acknowledgement message is received, in the next step, the control unit 108 is configured to transmit instructions, for receiving sensor data from the dimmer unit 110, if the set of sensors 114 is attached to the dimmer unit 110. However, in case if the dimmer unit 110 is a third party dimmer unit 110, there is no acknowledgement message received from the dimmer unit 110.
[0020] In one embodiment, once the acknowledgement message is received from the dimmer unit 110, in the next step, the process of capturing sensor data from the dimmer unit 110 is initiated. From each of the dimmer unit(s) 110 registered with the control unit 108, the process of capturing the sensor data is initiated by transmitting instructions to the dimmer unit 110 for receiving sensor data. The instructions may be transmitted in the form of a reserved command of the wired communication bus 112. Further, the sensor data may be captured by the dimmer unit 110 from at least one sensor 114 attached to the dimmer unit on periodic bases. In one embodiment, the sensor data is stored locally at the dimmer unit 110 and transmitted to the control unit 108 on receiving the reserved command. In one embodiment, different reserve commands may be used in order to fetch sensor data captured by different sensors 114 in the system 102. Further, the processor is configured to receive sensor data from the dimmer unit 110 in response to the instructions received from the control unit 108. In one embodiment, the wired communication bus 112 is a DALI bus, wherein the dimmer unit is configured to transmit the sensor data over the DALI bus using a DALI communication protocol.
[0021] In one embodiment, after receiving the acknowledgement message, if a dimmer unit 110 registered with the control unit 108 is connected to the lighting unit 116 in place of the sensors 114, the control unit 108 transmits lighting control signals to the dimmer unit for controlling the lighting unit 116 attached therewith.
[0022] In one embodiment, for each of the dimmer unit(s) 110, for each dimmer unit 110 registered with the control unit 108, the control unit 108 first determines if sensors 114 or lighting unit 116 are attached to the dimmer unit(s) 110 and accordingly sends instructions to receive sensor data or control signals to the dimmer unit 110. Once the sensor data is received from the dimmer unit(s) 110 attached to sensors 114, the control unit 108 processes this information to control the lighting unit 116 attached to the dimmer unit(s) 110. The process of capturing sensor data is further elaborated with reference to figure 2.
[0023] Referring now to figure 2, the system 102 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the control unit 108 of the system 102 may include at least one processor 202, an input/output (I/O) interface 204, and a memory 206. The at least one processor 202 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor 202 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 206.
[0024] The I/O interface 204 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface 204 may allow the system 102 to interact with a user directly or through the user devices 104. Further, the I/O interface 204 may enable the system 102 to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface 204 can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface 204 may include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.
[0025] The memory 206 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory 206 may include modules 208 and data 210.
[0026] The modules 208 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks, functions or implement particular abstract data types. In one implementation, the modules 208 may include a unique identifier message generation module 212, an acknowledgement message processing module 214, a sensor data capturing module 216, a sensor data processing module 218, and other modules 220. The other modules 220 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the system 102.
[0027] The data 210, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 208. The data 210 may also include a repository 222, and other data 230. In one embodiment, the repository 222 may be configured to store dimmer unique identifiers 224, unique identifier message 226, and sensor data 228 captured from the dimmer unit(s) 110. The process of capturing the sensor data 228 is initiated by the control unit 108. Initially the processor 202 of the control unit 108 may execute programmed instructions stored in the memory for transmitting the unique identifier message 226 to the dimmer unit(s) 110. If a dimmer unit 110 is registered with the control unit 108, the dimmer unit 110 is configured to respond with an acknowledgement message. If the acknowledgement message is received from the dimmer unit 110, the acknowledgement message processing module 214 first determines if sensors 114 or lighting unit 116 are attached to the dimmer unit(s) 110 and accordingly sends instructions to receive sensor data or control signals to the dimmer unit 110. Once the sensor data is received from the dimmer unit(s) 110 attached to sensors 114, the control unit 108 processes this information to control the lighting unit 116 attached to the dimmer unit(s) 110. However, if no sensors 114 are attached to the dimmer unit, then the dimmer unit does not respond to the unique identifier message 226.
[0028] In one embodiment, after receiving an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit 110, in the next step, the process of capturing sensor data 228 from the dimmer unit 110 is initiated. The process of capturing the sensor data 228 is initiated by transmitting instructions to the dimmer unit 110 for receiving sensor data 228. The instructions may be transmitted in the form of a reserved command of the wired communication bus 112. Further, the sensor data 228 may be captured by the dimmer unit 110 from at least one sensor 114 attached to the dimmer unit on periodic bases.
[0029] In one embodiment, the sensor data 228 is stored locally at the dimmer unit 110 and transmitted to the control unit 108 on receiving the reserved command of a DALI protocol. There are 152 different predefined commands in DALI protocol. Out of those, 25 are indirect arc power level commands, 73 are configuration commands, 39 are query commands, and the remaining 15 are special addressing commands. The remaining 100 commands are reserved commands. Any of these reserved commands may be used to retrieve sensor data 228. Table 1 indicates the list of reserved DALI commands which may be used to retrieve Sensor data 228.
Table1: List of reserved commands used to fetch sensor data
Sr. No. Reserved Command Task
1 30H Get Temperature data from dimmer unit
2 31H Get Occupancy data from dimmer unit
3 32H Get Voltage information from dimmer unit
4 33H Get current information from dimmer unit
5 34H Get Ambient light intensity information from the dimmer unit
[0030] Further, the processor 202 is configured to receive sensor data 228 from the dimmer unit 110 in response to the instructions/ reserved command received from the control unit 108. In one embodiment, the sensor data 228 is transmitted to the control unit 108 over the DALI bus.
[0031] In one embodiment, if a dimmer unit 110 is a third party dimmer unit, then the dimmer unit 110 is configured to ignore the unique identifier message 226 and no acknowledgement message is received by the control unit 108 from the dimmer unit 110. If no acknowledgement message is received from the dimmer unit 110, the control unit 108 transmits lighting control signals to the dimmer unit 110 for controlling the lighting unit 116 attached to the dimmer unit 110.
[0032] In one embodiment, there may be multiple dimmer units 110 attached to the control unit 108. For each of the dimmer unit 110 registered with the control unit 108, the control unit 108 first determines if there are sensors 114 or lighting unit 116 attached to the dimmer unit 110 and accordingly sends instructions to receive sensor data 228 or lighting control signals to the respective dimmer unit 110. In one embodiment, once the sensor data 228 is received from the dimmer units 110 which are attached to sensors 114, the control unit 108 may be configured to processes this information to control the lighting unit 116 attached to the dimmer units 110. The process of capturing sensor data is further elaborated with reference to the flowchart of figure 3.
[0033] Referring now to figure 3, a method 300 for capturing sensor data from a lighting control network is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The method 300 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, and the like, that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method 300 may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices.
[0034] The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 300 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 300 without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 300 may be considered to be implemented in the above described system 102.
[0035] At block 302, the control unit 108 of the system 102 transmits a unique identifier message to each of the dimmer unit(s) 110. The unique identifier message is sent over a DALI bus.
[0036] At block 304, the control unit 108 is configured to receive an acknowledgement message from the dimmer unit(s) 110 in response to the unique identifier message.
[0037] At block 306, the control unit is configured to capture sensor data from the dimmer unit, after receiving the acknowledgment message. The acknowledgement message is received from the dimmer unit, if the dimmer unit is registered to the system 102. For the purpose of capturing sensor data, the processor 202 in the control unit 108 transmits instructions to the dimmer unit 110 for receiving sensor data 228 from the dimmer unit 110. Further, the processor 202 is configured to receive sensor data from the dimmer unit after the instructions for receiving sensor data are transmitted to the dimmer unit 110.
[0038] Although implementations for methods and systems for capturing sensor data in a lighting system have been described, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for capturing sensor data.