阅读说明：本技术 控制照明设备功能的方法和系统 (Method and system for controlling functions of lighting device ) 是由 B.M.威尔逊 J.R.卡斯帕 C.D.诺兰 于 2018-10-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种照明设备控制系统包括照明设备,该照明设备包括通信接口、光辐射源和灯具控制器。该系统还可以包括与该照明设备和一个或多个其他照明设备通信的网关控制器。灯具控制器或网关控制器将识别处于邻近通信范围内的便携式电子设备。灯具或网关控制器还将从便携式电子设备接收光操作请求。光操作请求将包括针对光辐射源可以发射的光的一个或多个光学特性的一个或多个设置。控制器确定便携式电子设备是否被授权实施该请求。响应于确定设备被授权,控制器将使光辐射源发射呈现该(多个)光学特性的光。(A luminaire control system includes a luminaire including a communication interface, a source of light radiation, and a luminaire controller. The system may also include a gateway controller in communication with the lighting device and one or more other lighting devices. The luminaire controller or gateway controller will identify portable electronic devices that are within proximity communication range. The light fixture or gateway controller will also receive a light operation request from the portable electronic device. The optical operation request will include one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the optical radiation source may emit. The controller determines whether the portable electronic device is authorized to implement the request. In response to determining that the device is authorized, the controller will cause the light radiation source to emit light exhibiting the optical characteristic(s).)

1. A luminaire control system for controlling one or more luminaires, the system comprising:

a first lighting device comprising:

a communication interface;

a source of optical radiation; and

a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first lighting device to:

receiving, via the communication interface, a signal indicating that a portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface,

receiving, via the communication interface, a light operation request from the portable electronic device, wherein the light operation request comprises one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the light radiation source may emit,

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to have the optical radiation source perform the optical operation request, and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request, cause the light radiation source to emit light exhibiting settings for the one or more optical characteristics.

2. The luminaire control system of claim 1 wherein:

the light operation request further comprises a time, wherein the time comprises a digital time or a duration; and

the instructions to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprise instructions to start or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state or a request state for a first time period and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off state or a default state upon expiration of the first time period.

3. The lighting device control system of claim 2, further comprising additional programming instructions configured to:

receiving, via the communication interface, a request to extend the first time period to an extended time before the first time period expires;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time, causing the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting settings for the one or more optical characteristics for the extended time.

4. The luminaire control system of claim 1, wherein the one or more optical characteristics comprise:

brightness or dimming level;

a color temperature;

color;

D_uv；

a beam shape; or

The beam direction.

5. The luminaire control system of claim 1 wherein:

the one or more optical characteristics comprise a scene, wherein settings for the one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time; and

the instructions to cause the optical radiation source to emit light include instructions to activate or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state and then to cause the setting for the one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light to change over time in accordance with the scene.

6. The luminaire control system of claim 1 wherein:

the communication interface comprises a short range or near field antenna; and

the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface comprises a signal received directly from a short-range or near-field transmitter of the portable electronic device.

7. The luminaire control system of claim 1 wherein:

the communication interface includes an antenna communicatively connected to a wireless local area network; and

the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface comprises a signal indicating that the portable electronic device is connected to the wireless local area network.

8. The luminaire control system of claim 1:

further comprising a gateway controller communicatively connected to the luminaire controller; and

wherein the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface comprises a signal received from the light fixture controller.

9. The luminaire control system of claim 1 further comprising a second luminaire also having a communication interface, a light radiation source, and a luminaire controller, and wherein:

the light operation request further comprises one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the second lighting device may emit; and

the programming instructions also include instructions to transmit one or more settings from the light operation request to the second lighting device for use by a luminaire controller of the second lighting device in operation of its light radiation source in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request.

10. The luminaire control system of claim 9, wherein the one or more settings for the second luminaire are different from the one or more settings for the first luminaire.

11. The lighting device control system of claim 1, wherein the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to:

instructions to transmit an account identifier associated with the portable electronic device and data from the light operation request to a remote server; and

receiving, from the remote server, an instruction that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit confirmation of the light operation request.

12. The luminaire control system of claim 1, wherein the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to determine whether the light operation request includes a valid unlock token.

13. The luminaire control system of claim 1, further comprising the portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device comprises:

a processor;

a user interface; and

a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of the optical radiation source, and for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics, output a user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and an associated setting for each selected optical characteristic;

generating the light operation request to include data for each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated settings and an account identifier; and

transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device.

14. The luminaire control system of claim 1, further comprising the portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device comprises:

a processor;

a user interface; and

a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of the optical radiation source, and for each of the candidate optical characteristics, outputting:

user selectable settings, an

Whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an indicia of an ability to adjust the user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a request to unlock user-selectable settings for which adjustment capabilities are locked;

transmitting a command to charge the account for the amount allocated to the user selectable setting; and

upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, unlocking the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a value for the user-selectable setting; and

generating the light operation request to include a value for the user-selectable setting; and

transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device.

15. A luminaire control system for controlling one or more luminaires, the system comprising:

a plurality of lighting devices, each lighting device comprising:

a communication interface communicatively coupled to the gateway controller;

a source of optical radiation, and

a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device:

a gateway controller comprising a processor, a communication interface, and a memory containing programming instructions, wherein the programming instructions are configured to cause the gateway controller to:

receiving, via a communication interface of the gateway controller, a signal indicating that a portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the gateway controller,

receiving, via a communication interface of the gateway controller, a light operation request from the portable electronic device, wherein the light operation request comprises one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the plurality of lighting devices may emit,

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the optical operation request, and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request, transmitting a command to the luminaire controller to cause the light radiation sources to emit light exhibiting the one or more optical characteristics.

16. The luminaire control system of claim 15 wherein:

the light operation request further comprises a time, wherein the time comprises a digital time or a duration; and

the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises a command to start or to keep the optical radiation source in an on or requested state during a first time period and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off or default state upon expiration of the first time period.

17. The lighting device control system of claim 16, further comprising additional programming instructions configured to:

receiving, from the portable electronic device via a communication interface of the gateway controller, a request to extend the time to an extended time before expiration of the first time period;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time; and

cause the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting the one or more optical characteristics for the extended time in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time.

18. The luminaire control system of claim 15, wherein the one or more optical characteristics comprise:

brightness or dimming level;

a color temperature;

color;

D_uv；

a beam shape; or

The beam direction.

19. The luminaire control system of claim 15 wherein:

the one or more optical characteristics comprise a scene, wherein settings for the one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time; and

the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises an instruction to activate or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state and then to change over time a setting for one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light in accordance with the scene.

20. The luminaire control system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause the gateway controller to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to:

instructions to transmit an account identifier associated with the portable electronic device and data from the light operation request to a remote server; and

receiving, from the remote server, an instruction that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit confirmation of the light operation request.

21. The luminaire control system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause the gateway controller to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to determine whether the light operation request includes a valid unlock token.

22. A luminaire control system for controlling one or more luminaires, the system comprising:

a first lighting device comprising a source of optical radiation; and

a portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device comprises:

a processor for processing the received data, wherein the processor is used for processing the received data,

a user interface, and

a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of the optical radiation source and, for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics, to output user-selectable settings,

receiving, via the user interface, a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and an associated setting for each selected optical characteristic,

generating a light operation request to include data for each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated settings and an account identifier, an

Transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device.

23. The lighting device control system of claim 22, wherein the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output, for each user-selectable setting, an indicia of whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an ability to adjust such user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a request to unlock user-selectable settings for which adjustment capabilities are locked;

transmitting a command to charge the account for an amount allocated to the user selectable setting;

upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, unlocking the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a value for the user-selectable setting;

generating the light operation request to include a value for the user-selectable setting.

24. The lighting device control system of claim 22, wherein the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to:

determining whether the first lighting device is within a proximity communication range of the portable electronic device; and

transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device only in response to determining that the first lighting device is within a proximity communication range of the portable electronic device.

25. The luminaire control system of claim 22, wherein the first luminaire further comprises a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first luminaire to:

receiving the light operation request from the portable electronic device;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the optical operation request; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request, causing the light radiation source to emit light exhibiting settings for each of the selected optical characteristics.

26. The luminaire control system of claim 25 wherein:

the plurality of candidate optical characteristics comprises a scene, wherein settings for one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time; and

the instructions to cause the optical radiation source to emit light include instructions to activate or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state and then to cause the setting for the selected optical characteristic of the emitted light to change over time according to the scene.

27. The luminaire control system of claim 25 further comprising a second luminaire also having a light radiation source and a luminaire controller, and wherein:

the light operation request further comprises one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the second lighting device may emit; and

the programming instructions of the luminaire controller of the first lighting device further include instructions to transmit one or more settings from the light operation request to the second lighting device for use by the luminaire controller of the second lighting device in operation of its light radiation source in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request.

28. The luminaire control system of claim 27, wherein the one or more settings for the second luminaire are different from the one or more settings for the first luminaire.

29. The lighting device control system of claim 25, wherein the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to:

instructions to transmit the account identifier and data from the light operation request to a remote server; and

receiving, from the remote server, an instruction that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit confirmation of the light operation request.

30. The luminaire control system of claim 25, wherein the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to determine whether the light operation request includes a valid unlock token.

31. The luminaire control system of claim 22 wherein:

the light operation request further comprises a time, wherein the time comprises a digital time or a duration; and

the instructions to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprise instructions to start or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state or a request state for a first time period and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off state or a default state upon expiration of the first time period.

32. The luminaire control system of claim 31, wherein the first luminaire further comprises a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first luminaire to:

receiving, from the portable electronic device, a request to extend the first time period to an extended time before the first time period expires;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time, causing the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting a setting for each of the selected optical characteristics for the extended time.

33. The luminaire control system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of candidate optical characteristics comprises:

brightness or dimming level;

a color temperature;

color;

D_uv；

a beam shape; or

The beam direction.

34. A luminaire control system for controlling one or more luminaires, the system comprising:

a plurality of lighting devices, each lighting device comprising a source of optical radiation; and

a portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device comprises:

a processor for processing the received data, wherein the processor is used for processing the received data,

a user interface, and

a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of light radiation sources of the plurality of light emitting devices, and for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics, output user-selectable settings,

receiving, via the user interface, a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and an associated setting for each selected optical characteristic,

generating a light operation request to include data for each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated settings and an account identifier, an

Transmitting the light operation request to a gateway controller associated with the plurality of lighting devices.

35. The lighting device control system of claim 34, wherein the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output, for each user-selectable setting, an indicia of whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an ability to adjust such user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a request to unlock user-selectable settings for which adjustment capabilities are locked;

transmitting a command to charge the account for an amount allocated to the user selectable setting;

upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, unlocking the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a value for the user-selectable setting; and

generating the light operation request to include a value for the user-selectable setting.

36. The lighting device control system of claim 34, wherein the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to:

determining whether the gateway controller is within a proximity communication range of the portable electronic device; and

transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device only in response to determining that the first lighting device is within a proximity communication range of the gateway controller.

37. The lighting device control system of claim 34, wherein the gateway controller comprises a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the gateway controller to:

receiving the light operation request from the portable electronic device;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the optical operation request; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request, transmitting a command to the plurality of lighting devices to cause the light radiation sources to emit light exhibiting settings for each selected optical characteristic.

38. The lighting device control system of claim 37, wherein:

the light operation request further comprises a time, wherein the time comprises a digital time or a duration; and

the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises a command to start or to keep the optical radiation source in an on or requested state during a first time period and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off or default state upon expiration of the first time period.

39. The luminaire control system of claim 38, further comprising additional programming instructions configured to cause the gateway controller to:

receiving, from the portable electronic device, a request to extend the time to an extended time before expiration of the first time period;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time, causing the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting a setting for each selected optical characteristic for the extended time.

40. The lighting device control system of claim 37, wherein:

the plurality of candidate optical characteristics comprises a scene, wherein settings for one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time; and

the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises an instruction to activate or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state and then to change over time a setting for a selected optical characteristic of the emitted light in accordance with the scene.

41. The luminaire control system of claim 37, wherein the plurality of candidate optical characteristics comprises:

brightness or dimming level;

a color temperature;

color;

D_uv；

a beam shape; or

The beam direction.

42. The luminaire control system of claim 37, wherein the instructions that cause the gateway controller to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to:

instructions to transmit an account identifier associated with the portable electronic device and data from the light operation request to a remote server; and

receiving, from the remote server, an instruction that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit confirmation of the light operation request.

43. The luminaire control system of claim 37, wherein the instructions that cause the gateway controller to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to determine whether the light operation request includes a valid unlock token.

Background

Modern lighting systems include many features previously unavailable to facility operators and users. For example, lighting systems including Light Emitting Diode (LED) luminaires or other types of luminaires may provide features such as: controllable dimming; color selection and color adjustment; adjustment of other characteristics of the emitted light, such as color temperature or D of the shape and/or direction of the emitted light beam_uvControlling; and a preprogrammed scene or a custom scene incorporating a set of preprogrammed features.

In facilities such as theaters, concert halls, stadiums, and even commercial buildings, lighting needs may vary frequently depending on who is using the facility at any given time. For example, a venue may be used for a meeting or business meeting during the day and for a concert or social event at night. The sports field may be used for football or football games at one time of the day and for hockey team practice at another time of the day. However, lighting systems are not easily adaptable to the needs of each user and event. In contrast, lighting systems are typically set to a "fully on" or "fully off" arrangement, unless the facility is equipped with technicians that can manually change lighting system scenes in response to the needs of new users.

The present disclosure describes methods and systems for controlling the functionality of a network of one or more lighting devices.

Disclosure of Invention

A luminaire control system controls one or more luminaires. The system may include a first lighting device including a communication interface, a source of optical radiation, and a luminaire controller including a processor and a memory device. The memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first lighting device (or gateway controller, as described below) to receive, via the communication interface, a signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface. The instructions are also configured to cause the first lighting device or gateway controller to receive a light operation request from the portable electronic device via the communication interface. The optical operation request will include one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the optical radiation source may emit. The luminaire controller or gateway controller will determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate a light operation request. In response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request, the luminaire controller or gateway controller will cause the light radiation source to emit light exhibiting one or more optical characteristics.

Optionally, the light operation request may include a time, such as a numerical time or duration. If so, the instructions to cause the light radiation source to emit light may cause the luminaire controller to start or maintain the light radiation source in an on state or a request state for a first time period and then switch the light radiation source to an off state or a default state upon expiration of the first time period. If the lighting device receives a request via the communication interface to extend the first time period to an extended time before the expiration of the time, the luminaire controller will determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time, and if the portable electronic device is authorized, the luminaire controller will cause the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting the one or more optical characteristics for the extended time.

In various embodiments, the optical properties of the emitted light controlled by the system may include any or all of the following: brightness or dimming level; color temperature(ii) a Color; d_uv(ii) a A beam shape; or beam direction. Furthermore, optical characteristics may be included in the scene, wherein settings for one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time. If a scenario is used, the system may activate or keep the light radiation source in an on-state and then change the setting for one or more optical properties of the emitted light over time depending on the scenario.

Optionally, the system may further comprise a gateway controller communicatively connected to the luminaire controller of the first lighting device and the one or more additional lighting devices. If so, the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within proximity communication range of the communication interface may comprise a signal received from a light fixture controller. The gateway controller will include a processor, a communication interface, and a memory containing programming instructions.

Optionally, the communication interface may comprise a short range or near field antenna. If so, the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface of the lighting device or gateway controller may comprise a signal received directly from a short-range or near-field transmitter of the portable electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include an antenna communicatively connected to the wireless local area network. If so, the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within the proximity communication range of the communication interface may include a signal indicating that the portable electronic device is connected to a wireless local area network.

In various embodiments, the system may include a second lighting fixture also having a communication interface, a light radiation source, and a luminaire controller, and wherein. The light operation request may further comprise one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the second lighting device may emit. If so, in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request, the luminaire controller or gateway controller may transmit one or more settings from the light operation request to the second lighting device for use by the luminaire controller of the second lighting device in operation of its light radiation source. The settings for the second lighting device may be the same as or different from the settings for the first lighting device.

Optionally, to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request, the portable device, the luminaire controller, or the gateway controller may transmit an account identifier associated with the portable electronic device and data from the light operation request to a remote server. The device or controller may then receive confirmation from the remote server that the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request.

Optionally, to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request, the luminaire controller or gateway controller may determine whether the light operation request includes a valid unlock token.

Optionally, the system may further comprise a portable electronic device comprising a processor, a user interface and a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application. The control application is configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to cause the user interface to output candidate optical characteristics of the light radiation source, and to output user-selectable settings for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics. The control application will cause the portable electronic device to receive, via the user interface, a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and the associated settings for each selected optical characteristic. The control application will generate a light operation request to include data for each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and their associated settings and an account identifier. The portable electronic device then transmits the light operation request to the first lighting device.

Further, the user interface may output a flag whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked the ability to adjust the user-selectable settings. The portable electronic device may receive a request via the user interface to unlock user-selectable settings for which the adjustment capabilities are locked. If so, the portable electronic device may transmit a command to charge the account for the amount allocated to the user-selectable setting. Upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, the portable electronic device may unlock the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting. The portable electronic device may receive values for user-selectable settings via a user interface. The portable electronic device will generate a light operation request to include a value for the user selectable setting, and it will transmit the light operation request to the first lighting device.

In various instances, a lighting device control system for controlling one or more lighting devices is disclosed. The luminaire control system may comprise a first luminaire comprising a light radiation source and a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may include a processor, a user interface, and a memory device. The memory device may include programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of a portable electronic device to: causing a user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of the optical radiation source, and to output user-selectable settings for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics; receiving, via a user interface, a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and an associated setting for each selected optical characteristic; generating a light operation request to include data for each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated settings and an account identifier; and transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device.

Optionally, the lighting system control application may further cause the processor of the portable electronic device to: causing the user interface to output, for each user-selectable setting, an indicia of whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an ability to adjust the user-selectable setting; receiving, via a user interface, a request to unlock a user-selectable setting for which an adjustment capability is locked; transmitting a command to charge the account for the amount allocated to the user selectable setting; upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, unlocking the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting; receiving a value for the user-selectable setting via a user interface; a light operation request is generated to include a value for the user selectable setting.

In some embodiments, the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to determine whether the first lighting device is within proximity communication range of the portable electronic device, and transmit the light operation request to the first lighting device only in response to determining that the first lighting device is within proximity communication range of the portable electronic device.

In some embodiments, the first lighting device may comprise a luminaire controller. The luminaire controller may include a processor and a memory device, where the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first lighting device to receive a light operation request from the portable electronic device, determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the light radiation source to implement the light operation request, and cause the light radiation source to emit light exhibiting settings for each selected optical characteristic in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request. Alternatively, the plurality of candidate optical characteristics may comprise a scene, wherein the setting for one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light changes over time, and the instruction to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises causing the optical radiation source to be activated or to remain in an on state, and then changing the setting for the selected optical characteristic of the emitted light over time according to the scene.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the luminaire control system may infer a second luminaire, also having the light radiation source and the luminaire controller. The light operation request may include one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that may be emitted by the second lighting device, and the programming instructions of the luminaire controller of the first lighting device may include instructions to transmit the one or more settings from the light operation request to the second lighting device for use by the luminaire controller of the second lighting device in operation of its light radiation source in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request. In some embodiments, the one or more settings for the second lighting device may be different from the one or more settings for the first lighting device.

Optionally, the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request may include instructions to transmit the account identifier and data from the light operation request to a remote server, and to receive confirmation from the remote server that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request.

Optionally, the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request may include instructions to determine whether the light operation request includes a valid unlock token.

In one or more embodiments, the light operation request may include a time, where the time includes a digital time or a duration. Further, the instructions to cause the light radiation source to emit light comprise instructions to start or maintain the light radiation source in an on state or a request state for a first time period and then to switch the light radiation source to an off state or a default state upon expiration of the first time period. Optionally, the first lighting device further comprises a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first lighting device to: receiving, from the portable electronic device, a request to extend the first time period to an extended time before the first time period expires; determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to an extended time; and in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to an extended time, causing the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting the setting for each selected optical characteristic for the extended time.

In some embodiments, the plurality of candidate optical characteristics may include one or more of: brightness or dimming level, colour temperature, colour, D_uvBeam shape and beam direction.

In some cases, a lighting device control system for controlling one or more lighting devices is disclosed. The system may comprise a plurality of lighting devices, each comprising a source of optical radiation, and a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may include a processor, a user interface, and a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to: the method comprises the steps of causing a user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of light radiation sources of a plurality of light emitting devices and to output user selectable settings for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics, receiving, via the user interface, a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and an associated setting for each selected optical characteristic, generating a light operation request to data and an account identifier comprising each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated setting, and transmitting the light operation request to a gateway controller associated with the plurality of lighting devices.

In some embodiments, the lighting system control application may be further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to: causing the user interface to output, for each user-selectable setting, an indicia of whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an ability to adjust the user-selectable setting; receiving, via a user interface, a request to unlock a user-selectable setting for which an adjustment capability is locked; transmitting a command to charge the account for the amount allocated to the user selectable setting; upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, unlocking the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting; receiving a value for a user-selectable setting via a user interface; and generating a light operation request to include a value for the user selectable setting.

In some embodiments, the lighting system control application is configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to transmit a light operation request to the first lighting device only in response to determining that the first lighting device is within proximity communication range of the gateway controller. The portable device first determines whether the gateway controller is within a proximity communication range of the portable electronic device.

In various embodiments, the gateway controller may include a processor and a memory device. The gateway controller may be configured to receive a light operation request from the portable electronic device; determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to have the optical radiation source perform the optical operation request; and in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request, transmitting a command to the plurality of lighting devices to cause the light radiation sources to emit light exhibiting settings for each selected optical characteristic. Optionally, the optical operation request further comprises a time (e.g. a digital time or a duration), and the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises a command to start or keep the optical radiation source in an on or requested state during a first time period, and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off or default state upon expiration of the first time period. Additionally and/or alternatively, the gateway controller may receive a request from the portable electronic device to extend the time to an extended time before the first time period expires; determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to an extended time; and in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to an extended time, causing the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting the setting for each selected optical characteristic for the extended time.

Optionally, determining, by the gateway controller, whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request may include transmitting an account identifier associated with the portable electronic device and data from the light operation request to a remote server, and receiving confirmation from the remote server that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request. Alternatively, determining, by the gateway controller, whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the optical operation request may include determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the optical operation request includes instructions to determine whether the optical operation request includes a valid unlock token.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an example of a lighting device network with a proximate mobile electronic device and a remote server for controlling light emitted by the device network.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a lighting device that may be used with a lighting device network.

Fig. 3 shows example components of a luminaire controller of a lighting device.

Fig. 4 shows an example lighting device control process.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a portable electronic device user interface that may be used to control light emitted by one or more proximate lighting devices.

Fig. 6 shows example steps that a portable electronic device may take when used to control a lighting device.

Fig. 7 illustrates various hardware components that may be included in one or more electronic devices.

Detailed Description

As used in this document, the singular forms "a" and "an" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In this document, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used to modify a noun, such use is intended only to distinguish one item from another item, and is not intended to require a sequence unless specifically stated. As used in this document, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means "including" or "includes", but is not limited to ".

In this document, the terms "lighting device", "luminaire", "illuminator" and "illumination device" are used interchangeably to refer to a device comprising a source of light radiation. The light radiation sources may comprise, for example, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), light bulbs, ultraviolet or infrared sources or other light radiation sources. In embodiments disclosed in this document, the light radiation emitted by the lighting device comprises visible light. The lighting device will further comprise a housing, one or more electrical components for transferring power from the power supply to the light radiation source of the device, and optionally control circuitry.

In this document, the terms "communication link" and "communication path" mean a wired or wireless path via which a first device transmits and/or receives communication signals to and/or from one or more other devices. A device is "communicatively connected" if the device is capable of sending and/or receiving data via a communication link. "electronic communication" means the transfer of data between two or more electronic devices via one or more signals, whether over a wired or wireless network, and whether directly or indirectly via one or more intermediate devices.

A "communication interface" of a lighting device or other electronic device is a hardware element configured to enable the device to send and/or receive data signals to/from neighboring devices and/or a communication network. The communication interface for communicating with the proximate device may comprise, for example, a short range wireless communication interface, such as a transmitter, a Near Field Communication (NFC) or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, or Bluetooth^TMOr Bluetooth^TMA low power consumption (BLE) transceiver. The communication interface for indirect communication with a proximate or non-proximate device via one or more communication networks may include, for example, a wireless network card with a wireless network antenna, a data port, or the like.

In this document, the terms "controller" and "controller device" mean an electronic device or system of devices configured to command or otherwise manage the operation of one or more other devices. For example, a luminaire controller is a controller configured to manage the operation of one or more luminaires to which the luminaire controller is communicatively linked. The controller will typically include a processing device, and it will also include or have access to a memory device containing programming instructions configured to cause the processor of the controller to manage the operation of the connected device or devices.

In this document, the terms "memory" and "memory device" both refer to non-transitory devices that store computer-readable data, programming instructions, or both. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "memory" and "memory device" are intended to include a single device embodiment, an embodiment in which multiple memory devices store a set of data or instructions together or jointly, as well as one or more separate sectors within such a device.

In this document, the terms "processor" and "processing device" refer to hardware components of an electronic device (such as a controller) that are configured to execute programmed instructions. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular terms "processor" or "processing device" are intended to include both single processing device embodiments and embodiments in which multiple processing devices execute a process together or jointly.

"computing device" or "electronic device" refers to an electronic device having a processor, a memory device, and a communication interface for communicating with proximate and/or local devices. The memory will contain, or receive, programming instructions that, when executed by the processor, will cause the electronic device to perform one or more operations in accordance with the programming instructions. Examples of electronic devices include personal computers, servers, hosts, virtual machines, containers, gaming systems, televisions, and portable electronic devices (such as smart phones), wearable virtual reality devices, internet-connected wearable devices (such as smart watches and smart glasses), personal digital assistants, tablet computers, laptop computers, media players, and so forth. The electronic devices may also include appliances and other devices capable of communicating in an internet of things arrangement, such as smart thermostats, home controller devices, voice activated digital home assistants, connected light bulbs, and other devices. In a client-server arrangement, the client devices and the server are electronic devices, with the server containing instructions and/or data that the client devices access via one or more communication links in one or more communication networks. In a virtual machine arrangement, a server may be an electronic device, and each virtual machine or container may also be considered an electronic device. In the following discussion, a client device, server device, virtual machine, or container may be referred to simply as a "device" for the sake of brevity. Additional elements that may be included in the electronic device will be discussed below in the context of fig. 7.

Fig. 1 illustrates a lighting device control system in which any number of lighting devices 101, 102 are located in different locations in an environment, such as a wall, ceiling, mast, tower, or other support structure in a stadium, arena, concert hall, outdoor amphitheater, park or other sports or entertainment facility, or a commercial building or other light-enabled facility. Alternatively, a group of lighting devices at a facility may be controlled by gateway controller 104, gateway controller 104 being communicatively coupled to one or more luminaire controllers 111, 112, luminaire controllers 111, 112 being connected to one or more lighting devices 101, 102. If a gateway controller 104 is used, it may be configured to pair with the portable electronic device 103, receive a light operation request from the portable electronic device 103, and control the at least one lighting device 101, 102 via the luminaire controller 111, 112 according to the light operation request. Alternatively or additionally, the portable electronic device may send control commands directly to the luminaire controllers 111, 112 of the lighting devices. Each luminaire controller 111, 112 comprises various components of the control circuitry of the illumination device.

Each luminaire controller, gateway controller 104, and/or portable electronic device 103 may be capable of communicating with a communication network 105, such as a cellular communication network, the internet, a mesh network, or other wired or wireless communication network. The remote server 106 may also be communicatively connected to the communication network 105 such that it may communicate with the portable electronic devices, the gateway controller 104 and/or the luminaire controllers 111, 112. The remote server 106 may include or be connected to one or more memory devices that collectively store a database 108 of data for the light-enabled facilities, such as scheduling data, data regarding available lighting devices and optional functions, available scenes, costs of various services, and other data. The portable electronic device 103 may include a memory device containing programming instructions configured to cause the portable electronic device to perform various functions. Additionally or alternatively, the portable electronic device 103 may access a remote server 106 via the communication network 105 to obtain program instructions stored on and/or executed by the server.

Referring to fig. 2, an example lighting fixture 101 will include a source of optical radiation, such as any number of lighting modules including LEDs, and in various embodiments a plurality of LED modules sufficient to provide a high intensity LED fixture. In various embodiments, the lighting device may include multiple types of LED modules. For example, the lighting device may include a first type of LED module 203 having LEDs configured to selectively emit white light of various color temperatures, and a second type of LED module 205 having LEDs configured to selectively emit light of various colors. The lighting device 101 may include a housing 201, the housing 201 housing electrical components such as a light fixture controller, a power source, and wiring and circuitry to supply power and/or control signals to the LED modules.

The luminaire controller may be an external device or an integrated device comprising various components of the control circuitry of the illumination device. An example component of a luminaire controller 301 is shown in fig. 3. The luminaire controller 301 will comprise a processor 302 and a memory device 303 containing programs and/or data which the processor 302 uses to selectively control the LED module 310 or other light radiation sources of the lighting device. The luminaire controller 301 will include any number of communication interfaces, such as a Wi-Fi antenna 304, a short-range communication or NFC transceiver 305, and/or a wired communication interface 306 containing any number of ports 312 via which other lighting devices, controllers, or other devices may be connected to the lighting devices of the luminaire controller. For example, gateway controller 104 may be connected to luminaire controller 301 via any of ports 312.

In this document, the term "gateway controller" refers to a central controller device that receives commands from remote electronic devices and routes the commands to the appropriate lighting device luminaire controllers in the lighting device network. The gateway controller may include a processor and a communication interface including a router or switch having one or more ethernet ports or fiber optic connectors configured to receive ethernet and/or fiber optic cables. Other types of cables and connectors may be used, but for purposes of this disclosure, ethernet and fiber optic cables and connectors will be used as examples. When a component may be a gateway controller or a luminaire controller, this document may use the term "luminaire controller" to refer to the component.

Returning to fig. 1, the lighting device 101 may communicate with a nearby portable electronic device 103 via a direct or indirect communication link. The lighting device 101 may also communicate with any number of nearby additional lighting devices 102 via direct or indirect communication links. Each lighting device 101, 102 and the nearby portable electronic device 103 may communicate with the remote server 106 over any number of communication links. The remote server 106 may be a cloud-based server that communicates with other devices via the communication network 105.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling one or more lighting devices in a system such as disclosed above. The luminaire controller or gateway controller of the lighting device, if used, will detect 401 that the portable electronic device in which the lighting control application is installed is in proximity to the lighting device or gateway controller. Devices are "in proximity" to each other if they are within communication range of each other on a local area network or use short-range communications or NFC communication protocols.

Short-range communication transceivers are devices that communicate directly with each other over relatively short distances on the order of 100 meters or less, or 10 meters or less. Examples of short-range transceivers include those following a short-range communication protocol, such as ZigBee, Bluetooth ® and Bluetooth @ low energy transceivers and/or via Infrared (IR) optical transceivers. NFC transceivers are ultra-short range transceivers that conform to one or more radio frequency communication standards that may be used when two devices are in close proximity, and may include hardware elements, such as loop antennas that exchange information via electromagnetic induction. Protocols implementing NFC may conform to industry standards such as ISO/IEC 18092 or ISO/IEC 18000-3 issued by the international standards organization. A typical range for near field communication is about 10 cm or less, but it may also be 20 cm or less, 4 cm or less or other ranges. By receiving the connection request via the short-range communication protocol or the NFC protocol, the lighting device or gateway controller will thus detect that the mobile electronic device is in the proximity of the lighting device.

This detection 401 may occur, for example, by receiving a connection request from the portable electronic device via short-range communication or an NFC transceiver. Alternatively, the detection 401 may occur by receiving a connection request from the portable device via a known Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as a Wi-Fi network having a limited range and to which the lighting device is also communicatively connected. By receiving a connection request from the mobile electronic device that is communicatively connected to the same WLAN to which the luminaire controller is connected, the luminaire controller will thus detect that the mobile electronic device is in the proximity of the luminaire controller.

The luminaire controller will also receive a light operation request 402 from the portable electronic device via the communication interface. The light operation request will be one or more data packets comprising one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that may be emitted by light radiation sources of one or more lighting devices associated with the lighting device controller and/or other communicatively connected lighting devices. The one or more optical characteristics may include settings such as brightness or dimming level, color temperature, color, D of light emitted by the light radiation source_uvBeam shape and/or beam direction. The luminaire controller may determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to have the lighting device(s) implement the light operation request 403. If the luminaire controller determines that the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate a light operation request, it will cause the light radiation source(s) to emit light exhibiting one or more optical characteristics of the light operation request 404. If the luminaire controller determines that the portable electronic device is not authorized to initiate a light operation request, it will not implement the request and therefore not activate the light radiation source(s) according to the request 405.

To determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to have the luminaire controller implement the light operation request 403, the luminaire controller may determine whether the portable electronic device is associated with a valid unlock token for the light operation request. A valid unlocking token is a digital identifier, such as a coding or authentication token, that is known to the lighting device and represents an authorization to activate or change one or more characteristics of the emitted light. The luminaire controller may receive an unlock token from a portable electronic device having a light operation request and compare the token to a set of locally or remotely stored authentication tokens to determine whether the received token matches a known valid token or complies with valid token criteria. Alternatively, the luminaire controller may receive an account identifier of the portable electronic device, transmit the account identifier to a remote server such that the remote server may perform authentication, and receive an unlock token from the remote server of the remote server, determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to unlock the requested feature of the luminaire.

To obtain the unlock token, the user interface may output a flag whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an ability to adjust the user-selectable setting. The portable electronic device may receive a request via the user interface to unlock user-selectable settings for which the adjustment capabilities are locked. If so, the portable electronic device may transmit a command to charge the account for the amount assigned to the user-selectable setting. Upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, the portable electronic device may unlock the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting and generate or receive an unlock token.

In order for the associated light radiation sources of the lighting device to emit light exhibiting the optical characteristic values of the light operation request 404, the luminaire controller of the lighting device will implement one or more commands to control the operation of the light radiation sources. Example methods for changing the optical characteristics of LED lamps are disclosed in, for example: (i) U.S. patent No. 9188307 to Casper et al, entitled "High Intensity LED illumination Device with Automated Sensor-Based Control"; (ii) U.S. Pat. No. 9189996 to Casper et al, entitled "Selectable, Zone-Based Control for High Intensity LED Illumination System"; (iii) U.S. patent application No. 15/670659, entitled "Lighting Device LED Module with Color temperature adjustment and Color adjustment effect" (filed by Nolan et al); and (iv) U.S. patent application No. 15/670671 filed by Nolan et al entitled "luminaire LED Module with Beam expansion adjustment and Beam Shaping Effects". The disclosure of each of these patents and patent applications is incorporated in its entirety into this document by reference. The optical characteristic may include a scene, which is a set of data corresponding to various optical characteristics of the emitted light, whose set values will change over time. If so, the luminaire controller may vary the values of those optical characteristics of the emitted light over time, depending on the scene.

Optionally, the light operation request may include a time. The time is a data point indicating a digital start time, stop time and/or duration of one or more characteristics of the activating optical radiation source. If so, when having the light radiation source emit light according to the requested characteristic, the luminaire controller will first start or keep the light radiation source in an on-state according to the selected characteristic, and then upon occurrence of a timeout state 406 corresponding to an expiration (i.e. the end of the off-time or duration), the luminaire controller will deactivate the light radiation source and/or the selected characteristic 409 upon expiration of the time. Deactivation may include turning the light off completely, or returning the light to a default setting that does not include all selected characteristic values of the light operation request. Optionally, the system may receive an extension request 407 from the mobile electronic device before the time expires. The extension request will include an extension of the new (and later) stop time or duration. If the luminaire controller determines that the mobile electronic device is authorized to extend the operating time according to the extension request (using an authorization procedure such as those described above), the luminaire controller will continue to activate the light radiation source 408 with the requested characteristic value until the extension time expires, at which point the luminaire controller will deactivate the lamp as described above.

Optionally, the light operation request may comprise a request to operate not only the lighting device comprising or associated with the lighting device controller receiving the request, but also one or more other lighting devices in a system communicatively connected to the lighting device controller receiving the request. For example, the light operation request may comprise one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the second lighting device may emit. To this end, the light operation request may comprise an identifier of the second lighting device, such as an address of the second lighting device, or it may comprise a general command, such as "apply light operation request to all connected lighting devices". If so, the luminaire controller may determine whether the portable electronic device is also authorized to initiate a light operation request for the second lighting device, and if so, the luminaire controller will transmit one or more settings from the light operation request to the second lighting device for use by the luminaire controller of the second lighting device in the operation of its light radiation source. Such transmission may occur via a wired or wireless communication link. The requested optical characteristics for the second lighting device may be the same as or different from the optical characteristics requested for the first lighting device.

Fig. 5 shows an example portable electronic device 501 with a user interface 502. In the example of fig. 5, user interface 502 is a touch-sensitive display device. In other embodiments, the user interface may include other user input/output hardware, such as a microphone and/or audio speakers, a keyboard or keypad, or other user interface devices, instead of or in addition to a display. The user interface 502 may include a luminaire selector 503 and a time selector 504, via which luminaire selector 503 a user may select one or more lighting devices to control, via which time selector 504 a user may input a time 514, such as a start time, a stop time or a duration. The user interface 502 may also comprise any number of lighting property selectors 505, 506 via which a user may input one or more user selectable set values for a property of light to be emitted by the selected lighting device(s). For features that the user is authorized to select, the system may display various candidate user selectable settings 516, 517, 545, such as a data entry field, a list of options, or another selector. For any settings for the user account lock (i.e., not unlocked because the user has not been authorized to implement the settings), the user-selectable settings 516 may be displayed in a non-selectable format, such as a mask or overlay, or in a grayscale or other format that cannot be actuated by the user until the user unlocks the settings. The user interface may also include an actuator 521 via which the user may unlock settings, such as a purchase interface, through which the user may purchase access to the related features.

Optionally, the user interface may comprise a scene selector 507 via which the user may select a scene comprising a set of one or more characteristics of one or more lamps, wherein the setting values of at least some of the characteristic(s) will change over time. The available values 517 may include predefined scenes, or the system may provide a scene creator user interface via which the user may select settings, lighting devices, and times that will define a new scene or adjust a predefined scene.

Fig. 6 illustrates a process that a portable electronic device may follow to initiate a light operation request for one or more proximity lighting devices. The portable electronic device will include a user interface that outputs various candidate optical characteristics of the optical radiation source 601. The user interface will also display user selectable settings for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics. As discussed above in fig. 5, the system may also output a lock/unlock status flag 602 that indicates whether the account associated with the portable device or its user has unlocked the ability to select the settings for each feature. For example, for unlocked features, user-selectable settings may be presented in a user-selectable format, such as a data entry field, list, or other structure. The locked features of the user-selectable settings are not displayed in a user-selectable format, but may be displayed in a grayscale, mask format, or by other indicia showing them locked, or may not be displayed at all.

For any locked features, the user may input (and the portable electronic device may receive via the user interface) an unlock request 603. If so, the system may generate and transmit a command to charge the user account for the amount required for the unlock settings 604. Upon receiving confirmation from the remote server that the account has been charged, the device may unlock 605 the feature so that the user may select the set value for the feature.

When the portable electronic device receives a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and the associated set value 611 for each selected optical characteristic via the user interface, it will generate or otherwise identify the light operation request 612 as data comprising each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated set value and an account identifier. The portable electronic device will then transmit 613 a light operation request to the first lighting device via NFC or a short-range communication protocol.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of hardware that may be included in any of the electronic devices described above, such as in a lighting device, an electronic device, or a controller device. Bus 800 serves as an information highway interconnecting the other illustrated components of the hardware. A bus may be a physical connection between system elements or a wired or wireless communication system via which various elements of the system share data. The processor 805 is a processing device that executes a system to perform the computational and logical operations required by a program. The processor 805, alone or in combination with one or more of the other elements disclosed in fig. 7, is an example of the term processing device, computing device, or processor as used in this disclosure. The processing device may be a physical processing device, a virtual device contained in another processing device, or a container included in the processing device. If the electronic device is a lighting device, the processor 805 may be a component of a luminaire controller, if the electronic device is a lighting device, and the device will also include a power supply and a source of optical radiation as described above.

Memory device 810 is a hardware element or section of a hardware element on which programming instructions, data, or both may be stored. Optional display interface 830 may allow information to be displayed on display 835 in audio, visual, graphical or alphanumeric format. Communications with external devices, such as a printing device, may occur using various communication interfaces 840, such as a communication port, antenna, or near-field or short-range transceiver. Communication interface 840 may be communicatively connected to a communication network, such as the internet or an intranet.

The hardware may also include a user input interface 845 that allows data to be received from an input device such as a keyboard or keypad 850, or other input device 855 such as a mouse, touchpad, touch screen, remote control, pointing device, video input device, and/or microphone. Data may also be received from an image capture device 820, such as a digital camera or a video camera. A position sensor 860 and/or a motion sensor 870 may be included to detect the position and movement of the device. Examples of motion sensor 870 include a gyroscope or an accelerometer. Examples of location sensor 860 are such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor device that receives location data from an external GPS network.

The above described features and functions, and alternatives, may be combined in many other different systems or applications. Various substitutions, modifications, changes or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

The claims (modification according to treaty clause 19)

1. A luminaire control system for controlling one or more luminaires, the system comprising:

a first lighting device comprising:

a communication interface;

a source of optical radiation; and

a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first lighting device to:

receiving, via the communication interface, a signal indicating that a portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface,

receiving, via the communication interface, a light operation request from the portable electronic device, wherein the light operation request comprises one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the light radiation source may emit,

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to have the optical radiation source perform the optical operation request, and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request, cause the light radiation source to emit light exhibiting one or more settings for the one or more optical characteristics.

2. The luminaire control system of claim 1 wherein:

the light operation request further comprises a time, wherein the time comprises a digital time or a duration; and

the instructions to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprise instructions to start or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state or a request state for a first time period and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off state or a default state upon expiration of the first time period.

3. The lighting device control system of claim 2, further comprising additional programming instructions configured to:

receiving, via the communication interface, a request to extend the first time period to an extended time before the first time period expires;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time, causing the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting one or more settings for the one or more optical characteristics for the extended time.

4. The luminaire control system of claim 1, wherein the one or more optical characteristics comprise:

brightness or dimming level;

a color temperature;

color;

D_uv；

a beam shape; or

The beam direction.

5. The luminaire control system of claim 1 wherein:

the one or more optical characteristics comprise a scene, wherein settings for the one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time; and

the instructions to cause the optical radiation source to emit light include instructions to activate or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state and then to cause the setting for the one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light to change over time in accordance with the scene.

6. The luminaire control system of claim 1 wherein:

the communication interface comprises a short range or near field antenna; and

the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface comprises a signal received directly from a short-range or near-field transmitter of the portable electronic device.

7. The luminaire control system of claim 1 wherein:

the communication interface includes an antenna communicatively connected to a wireless local area network; and

the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface comprises a signal indicating that the portable electronic device is connected to the wireless local area network.

8. The luminaire control system of claim 1:

further comprising a gateway controller communicatively connected to the luminaire controller; and

wherein the signal indicating that the portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the communication interface comprises a signal received from the light fixture controller.

9. The luminaire control system of claim 1 further comprising a second luminaire also having a communication interface, a light radiation source, and a luminaire controller, and wherein:

the light operation request further comprises one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the second lighting device may emit; and

the programming instructions also include instructions to transmit one or more settings from the light operation request to the second lighting device for use by a luminaire controller of the second lighting device in operation of its light radiation source in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit the light operation request.

10. The luminaire control system of claim 9, wherein the one or more settings for the second luminaire are different from the one or more settings for the first luminaire.

11. The lighting device control system of claim 1, wherein the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to:

instructions to transmit an account identifier associated with the portable electronic device and data from the light operation request to a remote server; and

receiving, from the remote server, an instruction that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit confirmation of the light operation request.

12. The luminaire control system of claim 1, wherein the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to determine whether the light operation request includes a valid unlock token.

13. The luminaire control system of claim 1, further comprising the portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device comprises:

a processor;

a user interface; and

a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of the optical radiation source, and for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics, output a user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and an associated setting for each selected optical characteristic;

generating the light operation request to include data for each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated settings and an account identifier; and

transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device.

14. The luminaire control system of claim 1, further comprising the portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device comprises:

a processor;

a user interface; and

a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of the optical radiation source, and for each of the candidate optical characteristics, outputting:

user selectable settings, an

Whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an indicia of an ability to adjust the user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a request to unlock user-selectable settings for which adjustment capabilities are locked;

transmitting a command to charge the account for the amount allocated to the user selectable setting;

upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, unlocking the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a value for the user-selectable setting;

generating the light operation request to include a value for the user-selectable setting; and

transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device.

15. A luminaire control system for controlling one or more luminaires, the system comprising:

a plurality of lighting devices, each lighting device comprising:

a communication interface communicatively coupled to the gateway controller;

a source of optical radiation, and

a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device:

a gateway controller comprising a processor, a communication interface, and a memory containing programming instructions, wherein the programming instructions are configured to cause the gateway controller to:

receiving, via a communication interface of the gateway controller, a signal indicating that a portable electronic device is within a proximity communication range of the gateway controller,

receiving, via a communication interface of the gateway controller, a light operation request from the portable electronic device, wherein the light operation request comprises one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the plurality of lighting devices may emit,

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the optical operation request, and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request, transmitting a command to the luminaire controller to cause the light radiation sources to emit light exhibiting the one or more optical characteristics.

16. The luminaire control system of claim 15 wherein:

the light operation request further comprises a time, wherein the time comprises a digital time or a duration; and

the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises a command to start or to keep the optical radiation source in an on or requested state during a first time period and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off or default state upon expiration of the first time period.

17. The luminaire control system of claim 16, further comprising additional programming instructions configured to cause the gateway controller to:

receiving, from the portable electronic device via a communication interface of the gateway controller, a request to extend the time to an extended time before expiration of the first time period;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time; and

cause the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting the one or more optical characteristics for the extended time in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time.

18. The luminaire control system of claim 15, wherein the one or more optical characteristics comprise:

brightness or dimming level;

a color temperature;

color;

D_uv；

a beam shape; or

The beam direction.

19. The luminaire control system of claim 15 wherein:

the one or more optical characteristics comprise a scene, wherein settings for the one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time; and

the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises an instruction to activate or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state and then to change over time a setting for one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light in accordance with the scene.

20. The luminaire control system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause the gateway controller to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to:

instructions to transmit an account identifier associated with the portable electronic device and data from the light operation request to a remote server; and

receiving, from the remote server, an instruction that the portable electronic device is authorized to submit confirmation of the light operation request.

21. The luminaire control system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause the gateway controller to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to initiate the light operation request comprise instructions to determine whether the light operation request includes a valid unlock token.

22. A luminaire control system for controlling one or more luminaires, the system comprising:

a first lighting device comprising a source of optical radiation; and

a portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device comprises:

a processor for processing the received data, wherein the processor is used for processing the received data,

a user interface, and

a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of the optical radiation source and, for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics, to output user-selectable settings,

receiving, via the user interface, a selection of at least one of the plurality of candidate optical characteristics and an associated setting for each of one or more selected optical characteristics,

generating a light operation request to include data for each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated settings and an account identifier, an

Transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device.

23. The lighting device control system of claim 22, wherein the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output, for each user-selectable setting, an indicia of whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an ability to adjust such user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a request to unlock user-selectable settings for which adjustment capabilities are locked;

transmitting a command to charge the account for an amount allocated to the user selectable setting;

upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, unlocking the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a value for the user-selectable setting;

generating the light operation request to include a value for the user-selectable setting.

24. The lighting device control system of claim 22, wherein the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to:

determining whether the first lighting device is within a proximity communication range of the portable electronic device; and

transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device only in response to determining that the first lighting device is within a proximity communication range of the portable electronic device.

25. The luminaire control system of claim 22, wherein the first luminaire further comprises a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first luminaire to:

receiving the light operation request from the portable electronic device;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the optical operation request; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the optical operation request, cause the optical radiation source to emit light exhibiting a setting for each of one or more selected optical characteristics.

26. The luminaire control system of claim 25 wherein:

the plurality of candidate optical characteristics comprises a scene, wherein settings for one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time; and

the instructions to cause the optical radiation source to emit light include instructions to activate or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state and then to cause the setting for the selected optical characteristic of the emitted light to change over time according to the scene.

27. The luminaire control system of claim 25 further comprising a second luminaire also having a light radiation source and a luminaire controller, and wherein:

the light operation request further comprises one or more settings for one or more optical characteristics of light that the second lighting device may emit; and

the programming instructions of the luminaire controller of the first lighting device further include instructions to transmit one or more settings from the light operation request to the second lighting device for use by the luminaire controller of the second lighting device in operation of its light radiation source in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the light radiation source to implement the light operation request.

28. The luminaire control system of claim 27, wherein the one or more settings for the second luminaire are different from the one or more settings for the first luminaire.

29. The lighting device control system of claim 25, wherein the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the light radiation source to implement the light operation request comprise instructions to:

instructions to transmit the account identifier and data from the light operation request to a remote server; and

receiving, from the remote server, an instruction that the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the confirmation of the optical operation request.

30. The luminaire control system of claim 25, wherein the instructions to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the optical operation request comprise instructions to determine whether the optical operation request includes a valid unlock token.

31. The luminaire control system of claim 22 wherein:

the light operation request further comprises a time, wherein the time comprises a digital time or a duration; and

the instructions to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprise instructions to start or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state or a request state for a first time period and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off state or a default state upon expiration of the first time period.

32. The luminaire control system of claim 31, wherein the first luminaire further comprises a luminaire controller comprising a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the first luminaire to:

receiving, from the portable electronic device, a request to extend the first time period to an extended time before the first time period expires;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time, causing the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting a setting for each of the selected optical characteristics for the extended time.

33. The luminaire control system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of candidate optical characteristics comprises:

brightness or dimming level;

a color temperature;

color;

D_uv；

a beam shape; or

The beam direction.

34. A luminaire control system for controlling one or more luminaires, the system comprising:

a plurality of lighting devices, each lighting device comprising a source of optical radiation; and

a portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device comprises:

a processor for processing the received data, wherein the processor is used for processing the received data,

a user interface, and

a memory device containing programming instructions for a lighting system control application configured to cause a processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output a plurality of candidate optical characteristics of light radiation sources of the plurality of light emitting devices, and for at least some of the candidate optical characteristics, output user-selectable settings,

receiving, via the user interface, a selection of at least one of the candidate optical characteristics and associated settings for each of one or more selected optical characteristics,

generating a light operation request to include data for each of the one or more selected optical characteristics and its associated settings and an account identifier, an

Transmitting the light operation request to a gateway controller associated with the plurality of lighting devices.

35. The lighting device control system of claim 34, wherein the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to:

causing the user interface to output, for each user-selectable setting, an indicia of whether an account associated with the portable electronic device has unlocked an ability to adjust such user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a request to unlock user-selectable settings for which adjustment capabilities are locked;

transmitting a command to charge the account for an amount allocated to the user selectable setting;

upon receiving verification that the account has been charged the amount, unlocking the ability to adjust the user-selectable setting;

receiving, via the user interface, a value for the user-selectable setting; and

generating the light operation request to include a value for the user-selectable setting.

36. The lighting device control system of claim 34, wherein the lighting system control application is further configured to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to:

determining whether the gateway controller is within a proximity communication range of the portable electronic device; and

transmitting the light operation request to the first lighting device only in response to determining that the portable electronic device is within proximity communication range of the gateway controller.

37. The lighting device control system of claim 34, wherein the gateway controller comprises a processor and a memory device, wherein the memory device contains programming instructions configured to cause the gateway controller to:

receiving the light operation request from the portable electronic device;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the optical operation request; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation sources to implement the light operation request, transmitting a command to the plurality of lighting devices to cause the optical radiation sources to emit light exhibiting a setting for each selected optical characteristic.

38. The lighting device control system of claim 37, wherein:

the light operation request further comprises a time, wherein the time comprises a digital time or a duration; and

the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises a command to start or to keep the optical radiation source in an on or requested state during a first time period and then to switch the optical radiation source to an off or default state upon expiration of the first time period.

39. The luminaire control system of claim 38, further comprising additional programming instructions configured to cause the gateway controller to:

receiving, from the portable electronic device, a request to extend the time to an extended time before expiration of the first time period;

determining whether the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time; and

in response to determining that the portable electronic device is authorized to extend the first time period to the extended time, causing the light radiation source to continue to emit light exhibiting a setting for each selected optical characteristic for the extended time.

40. The lighting device control system of claim 37, wherein:

the plurality of candidate optical characteristics comprises a scene, wherein settings for one or more optical characteristics of the emitted light change over time; and

the command to cause the optical radiation source to emit light comprises an instruction to activate or maintain the optical radiation source in an on state and then to change over time a setting for a selected optical characteristic of the emitted light in accordance with the scene.

41. The luminaire control system of claim 37, wherein the plurality of candidate optical characteristics comprises:

brightness or dimming level;

a color temperature;

color;

D_uv；

a beam shape; or

The beam direction.

42. The luminaire control system of claim 37, wherein the instructions that cause the gateway controller to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the optical operation request comprise instructions to:

instructions to transmit an account identifier associated with the portable electronic device and data from the light operation request to a remote server; and

receiving, from the remote server, an instruction that the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the confirmation of the optical operation request.

43. The luminaire control system of claim 37, wherein the instructions that cause the gateway controller to determine whether the portable electronic device is authorized to cause the optical radiation source to implement the optical operation request comprise instructions to determine whether the optical operation request includes a valid unlock token.