Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02885013 2015-03-12
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING WITH REMOTE CONTROL FEATURE
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application
Serial No.
61/951,848, filed March 12, 2014, which is relied upon and incorporated herein
by
reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the art of landscape
lighting systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Outdoor landscape lighting systems are commonly used in both
commercial and
residential settings for the illumination of structures, walkways, trees,
shrubbery, etc.
Although there are many reasons for outdoor illumination, the primary purposes
are safety
and aesthetics. Landscape lighting can facilitate the safety of those on the
property by
illuminating safe walkways and directing guests. Lighting can also be useful
in pointing out
potential obstacles, such as steps or uneven walking surfaces. Landscape
lighting can
improve the aesthetics of an area by highlighting its attractive features,
such as architectural
structures, trees, shrubs, and landscape designs. This also distracts guest
from less attractive
features of the property by selectively focusing their attention.
[0004] Common outdoor landscape lighting systems have three primary
components: a
power source, electrical wiring, and lighting fixtures. Lighting fixtures are
usually placed
where desired throughout the outdoor landscape and connected in parallel to
the power
source.
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[0005] The power source may be a multi-tap transformer that is mounted in a
box in a
garage or utility closet. The multi-tap transformer plugs into a standard 120
VAC outlet and
provides outputs at multiple voltages. For example, a common multi-tap
transformer has AC
outputs at 12V, 13V, 14V, and 15V, where the higher voltages are often used to
overcome
voltage loss from high wattage loads or long cable runs. The transformer box
may also have
control circuitry and be used as a control panel for collectively controlling
the lighting
fixtures throughout the landscape. For example, the box can include a timer
that turns all of
the lights on or off at specified intervals, or a control for collectively
brightening or dimming
all the lights in the system.
[0006] In order to improve functionality and versatility, it is desirable
to have an outdoor
landscape lighting system where each of the lighting fixtures are individually
dimmable and
controllable.
SUMMARY
[0007] Example embodiments of the present invention recognize and address
considerations of prior art constructions and methods.
[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a landscape lighting
fixture for
outdoor illumination. The landscape lighting fixture comprises a fixture body,
a control board
including a light source and a sensor chip, a protective lens, and a guard.
The fixture body,
the guard, and the protective lens form a housing for the control board, and
the light source is
controlled by a control signal received by the sensor chip.
[0009] Some example embodiments of the landscape lighting fixture may
comprise a
plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for example at least six LEDs. The
landscape
lighting fixture may further comprise a handheld remote which may send the
control signal to
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the sensor chip using optical communication. The fixture body and the guard
may be
constructed with opaque material that does not transmit optical communications
from the
handheld remote. However, the fixture body may also comprise a transparent
window
through which the control signal may be transmitted to the sensor chip.
[00010] In some embodiments, the landscape lighting fixture may comprise an
optical
assembly juxtaposed to the control board for diffusing the light source. The
landscape
lighting fixture may also comprise a battery and a solar panel, wherein the
solar panel
generates electrical energy which is stored in the battery and is used to
operate the landscape
lighting fixture.
[00011] According to another example embodiment, a method for controlling a
landscape
lighting fixture may be provided. The method may comprise the steps of
receiving an
infrared control signal from a remote through a protective lens of the
lighting fixture and
using control circuitry to operate a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
in accordance
with the infrared control signal. The method may further comprise the step of
transmitting
light from the plurality of LEDs through an optical assembly such that the
lights appear to be
one light source.
[00012] In accordance with some example embodiments, an infrared remote may
send a
control signal in the infrared spectrum which will not travel through the
fixture body or
guard. However, the infrared signal can be transmitted through the lens and
optical assembly
to the infrared sensor chip. Because the infrared remote can communicate with
the infrared
sensor only by a signal directed through a transmitting portion of the
fixture, a user can
control each lighting fixture in a lighting system independently of all
others, without
inadvertently controlling other fixtures.
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[00013] Independent control of lighting fixtures allows the user to
customize the
landscape lighting according to the then-existing conditions of the landscape
for improved
safety and aesthetics. Unlike prior art systems, which allow for dimming or
brightening of all
lights collectively, the lighting fixtures of the present invention allow for
independent control
of every light in a system.
[00014] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present
invention and
realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed
description of example
embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00015] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including
the best mode
thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the
specification, which
makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[00016] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled lighting fixture
according to an
example embodiment of the present invention;
[00017] Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the lighting fixture of Fig. I in
accordance with
an example embodiment;
[00018] Fig. 3 shows a remote control device for individual control and
dimming of a
lighting fixture in accordance with an example embodiment;
[00019] Fig. 4 shows a control board that may be utilized in the lighting
fixture of Fig. 1;
[00020] Fig. 5A shows a control board and optical assembly prior to
attachment in
accordance with an example embodiment;
[00021] Fig. 5B shows the control board after the optical assembly has been
attached in
accordance with an example embodiment;
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[00022] Fig. 6 shows how the remote control device might use optical
communications to
control a landscape lighting fixture in accordance with an example embodiment;
and
[00023] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing interconnection of circuit
components in
accordance with a preferred embodiment.
[00024] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and
drawings is
intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00025] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not
limitation of the
invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the
scope or spirit
thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one
embodiment may be
used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the
present invention covers such modifications and variations.
[00026] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled lighting fixture 10
according to
an example embodiment of the present invention. In the example embodiment, the
fixture
body 12 may provide a housing for some or all of the internal electronic
components of the
lighting fixture 10. For example, the control board, lighting elements,
mounting structure,
electrical wiring, etc. may be placed inside the fixture body 12 and may be
enclosed therein
by a guard 14 and lens 16. A cowl 18 may be placed over the guard 14 for
directing light and
may be secured in place by a retention screw 20. The fixture body 12 may be
pivotally
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connected to a base extension 22 by swivel 24. In this regard, the fixture
body 12 may be
rotated about the axis of swivel 24, thus allowing the lighting fixture 10 to
be pivoted, for
example, between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The
distal end of the
base extension 22 may have a threaded portion 26 which may be used to connect
the lighting
fixture 10 to the fixture base 28 (see Fig. 2) or another suitable support
structure.
[00027] Fig. 2 shows an exploded view diagram of the lighting fixture 10 of
Fig. 1. In a
preferred embodiment, the lighting fixture 10 receives power in the same
manner as prior art
systems¨i.e., by direct electrical wiring from a transformer or from another
lighting fixture
connected in parallel. In an example embodiment, the fixture base 28, base
extension 22, and
swivel 24 may be hollow to provide a path for feeding the electrical wires
into the back of the
fixture body 12. The electrical wiring may then be connected to the control
board 40, for
example, by connecting the wires to power receptacle 42 (see Fig. 4). The
control board 40
may be housed in the fixture body 12 and contains the light sources, control
circuitry,
sensors, and other electronic components needed to operate the lighting
fixture 10. In one
example, the lighting fixture operates nominally at 12 VAC, but the input
voltage may vary
from 9 VAC to 15 VAC.
[00028] Although the illustrated embodiment is powered by mains electricity
through
direct electrical wiring, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other
means for powering
the lighting fixture 10 are within the scope of the invention. For example,
the lighting fixture
may be solar-powered, relying on solar energy to charge an integrated energy
storage device.
In this regard, an integrated or standalone solar panel may be electrically
connected to a
battery located in the lighting fixture. The solar panel could charge the
battery during the
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day, and the battery could power the lighting fixture at night. Other means
for powering the
lighting fixture are also contemplated.
[00029] In addition to housing the control board 40, the fixture body 12
houses an optical
assembly 44, the operation of which will be discussed in more detail below.
The optical
assembly 44 and control board 40 are placed inside the fixture body 12 and
covered by a
guard 14 with a protective lens 16. The protective lens 16 is preferably fixed
in the guard 14
such as by placing a bead of adhesive around flange 46 and securing it to a
mating surface
inside the guard 14. The resulting assembly is then fixed to the fixture body
12. In the
illustrated embodiment, for example, the guard 14 may have internal threads
which mate
with external threads 48 on fixture body 12. The resulting assembly is
watertight and ready to
be installed for outdoor use. Finally, a cowl 18 for directing light can be
slipped over the
guard 14 and secured (e.g., by retention screw 20).
[00030] The fixture body 12 and guard 14 may be constructed of steel,
plastic, or any
other rigid or semi-rigid material sufficient to house and support the control
board 40 and its
components. The protective lens 16 may be formed from plastic, glass, or any
other suitably
rigid material that is light transmissive (and also allows the control signals
to pass through)
while providing sufficient protection to the internal components of the
lighting fixture 10.
[00031] As will be described in more detail below, the lighting fixture 10
can be
controlled by a suitable wireless remote control device, such as an optical
(e.g., infrared)
remote. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an infrared remote control 50 which
may be used
to control the lighting fixture 10. The remote control 50 is a small handheld
device having a
plurality of buttons 52 corresponding to different functions. For example, the
buttons may
correspond to "off and a plurality of lighting intensity levels, respectively.
At one or more
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locations on the remote control 50 is an infrared emitter 54 which is used to
broadcast an
infrared signal in accordance with operator input. In addition, the remote
control 50 is
preferably configurable to control multiple lighting fixtures within a
landscape lighting
system. In this regard, a single remote control 50 may be capable of
controlling all the
outdoor lighting fixtures at a particular residential or commercial location
one at a time. For
example, the homeowner may walk around the property and individually set the
intensity of
illumination at each fixture.
[00032] Referring now specifically to Fig. 4, the control board 40 houses
the electronics
for operating the lighting fixture 10. The control board 40 includes an
infrared sensor 60 for
receiving an infrared control signal from the remote control 50. Typically,
the infrared sensor
60 will be in the form of a chip mounted to the surface of the control board
40. The control
board 40 may also include a light source comprising a plurality of light-
emitting diodes 62
(LEDs). In the illustrated embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the control board 40
comprises six
LEDs 62. One skilled in the art will understand, however, that a different
number or type of
light source may be used within the scope of the invention. The LEDs 62 are
preferably
mounted to the control board as shown in Fig. 4 and are controlled by the
remote control 50.
For example, the LEDs 62 may be turned on or off, may be brightened or dimmed,
or may be
otherwise adjusted, in response to a signal received by the infrared sensor
60.
[00033] One skilled in the art will recognize that the control board 40 may
also include
various standard electrical circuits. For example, the control board 40 may
contain power
supply circuitry that converts the AC voltage from the transformer to a DC
voltage suitable
for the light source. In addition, the control board 40 may include control
circuitry that is in
electrical communication with the LEDs 62 and the infrared sensor 60.
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[00034] In the illustrated embodiment, the control board 40 comprises
control circuitry,
various electrical circuits, an infrared sensor 60, and a plurality of LEDs 62
as discrete
components interconnected on a printed circuit board (PCB). However, this
configuration is
included for the purposes of explanation, and is not meant to be limiting. One
skilled in the
art will appreciate that there are other means for establishing electrical
communication
between the various system components. For example, the control board 40 may
be a series
of interconnected printed circuit boards, an integrated circuit, or may be
physically embodied
in any other manner sufficient to house the electronic components.
Alternatively, the control
board may be a collection of discrete electronic components mounted within the
fixture body
12 and interconnected with electrical wires.
[00035] Referring now to Figs. 5A and 5B, an optical assembly 44 is
preferably placed on
top of the control board for the purpose of diffusing, focusing, or directing
the light emitted
from the respective LEDs 62 such that the light exiting the lighting fixture
10 appears as one
large light instead of multiple small lights. Fig. 5A shows the optical
assembly 44 prior to
mounting on the control board 40 and Fig. 5B shows the optical assembly 44
when mounted
to the control board 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the optical assembly
44 comprises six
light diffusing optical dimples 82 that are oriented on a circular support
structure and
correspond with the six LEDs 62 of the lighting fixture 10. Each optical
dimple 82 may be,
for example, a cone-shaped, translucent piece of plastic mounted on a
translucent support
plate. It can be seen that each of the six light diffusing optical dimples 82
are oriented such
that they are situated over the top of each of the six LEDs 62, respectively.
In the illustrated
embodiment, this orientation is achieved through the use of two or more
positioning arms 84
that extend from the optical assembly 44 and are inserted through
corresponding mounting
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holes 86 in the control board 40. One skilled in the art will appreciate that
other optical
assemblies may be used which have different constructions or configurations,
or which may
be made of different materials. For example, in some cases, a frosted plastic
disk may be an
effective optical assembly 44 for a lighting fixture.
[00036] As noted above, the assembled lighting fixture 10 can be controlled
by remote
control 50. As shown in Fig. 6, the remote control 50 may use a line-of-sight
signal, such that
it must be pointed at the infrared sensor 60 and have an unimpeded path for
communication.
In this embodiment, the fixture body 12, guard 14, and cowl 18 are preferably
opaque to
prevent a control signal from passing through, and instead only allowing the
control signal to
travel directly through the lens 16 and optical assembly 44. As such, the user
can control the
lighting fixture 10 by aiming the remote control 50 at the lens 16 of the
lighting fixture 10,
but control signals will not travel through the rest of the lighting fixture
10. Alternatively, the
lighting fixture 10 may include a transparent or translucent window, for
example, in the side
of the fixture body 12, through which an infrared signal may be transmitted.
(Such a window
87 is shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 to illustrate this as an optional
feature.) It will be
appreciated that the lighting fixture 10 and remote control 50 allow for
independent control
of each fixture in a landscape lighting system, without concern that other
lighting fixtures
will be inadvertently controlled at the same time. In a preferred embodiment,
the user can
turn each light on or off independently, or adjust the lighting at fixed
lighting increments
with the push of a corresponding button (e.g., button 52). For example, the
user can use the
remote to set the lighting intensity at 10%, 20%, 40%, or 80% of the full
lighting level.
[00037] Independent control of each lighting fixture in a system is ideal,
for example, in
situations where a homeowner is having guests and wants to adjust the lighting
along a
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walkway toward the house. Also, depending on the seasons, the homeowner may
want to
highlight different features of the property. For example, it may be desirable
to illuminate
trees and shrubs in the spring when they are green and healthy-looking.
However, when they
are barren in the winter, the property's hardscapes or aesthetic structures
could be highlighted
instead.
[00038] Referring now to Fig. 7, various aspects of the circuitry contained
on board 40 are
illustrated. As be seen, low-voltage AC power from the transformer is received
at receptacle
42. The AC power is converted to DC at the appropriate voltage level via a
power supply 90.
IR sensor 60 receives control signals from the handheld remote, which are used
to direct
operation of LED driver circuitry 92. Driver circuitry, in turn, controls the
operation of the
light source, in this case a plurality of individual LEDs. An alternative
power source
utilizing a solar cell plus battery arrangement is illustrated at 94 that can
be used in addition
to or in lieu of the AC voltage source in accordance with some embodiments of
the
invention.
[00039] While one or more example embodiments of the invention have been
described
above, it should be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the
present
invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. The embodiments
depicted are
presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the
present
invention as further described in the appended claims. Thus, it should be
understood by
those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited
to these
embodiments since modifications can be made. In addition, it should be
understood that
aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in
part. Therefore,
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it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the
present invention as
may fall within the scope and spirit thereof.
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