Multi-Sensor, Event Based Occupancy Determination and Load Management System""Self Calibrating, Adaptive Setpoint Daylighting

US 9,459,601, US 10,353,368 and US 9,084,308, assigned to Starfield Lighting Automation LLC and Starfield Controls Inc, cover lighting control systems and the regulation of lighting loads to maintain a constant light level in order to reduce energy use when natural light is available which process is generally known as daylighting or daylight harvesting, and are available for sale through IPApproach.

US Patents

3 granted

Assignee

Starfield Lighting Automation LLC and Starfield Controls Inc

Availability

For Sale

Patents Included

• US 9,459,601↗
• US 10,353,368↗
• US 9,084,308↗

Technology Highlights

• The invention is a flexible and adaptable lighting control system that fully covers all spaces with minimal installation.
• The invention is robust enough to detect problems and continue working even when sensors fail or are added, removed, or reconfigured to resolve a problem of larger and more complex lighting control systems.
• The invention uses stateless sensors and anonymous communication to create a more robust and functional lighting control system that is easier to configure, supports an unlimited number of sensors, allows sensors to be added or removed, and supports remote operation, testing, and management.
• The invention introduces an improved master-scout event reporting concept wherein multiple scout sensors send anonymous, stateless, event reports to a single master zone controller.
• The invention's master controller does not need to know of or track individual sensors. Hence, it increases the system's functionality.
• The invention allows the creation of trip reports sent by a plurality of sources like occupancy sensors, momentary contact buttons, user controls, personal computers, and other building automation systems that include fire alarms, security, and access control.
• The invention's vacancy logic with manual-on and auto-off load control is energy efficient, more reliable, and intuitive for most applications.
• The invention allows the wall control to not only turn on lights but also, sends a trip report to the master to initiate the auto-off sequence; whereby, lights will always turn off even if the occupancy sensor itself is not physically tripped.
• The invention provides groups of master controls that are created to cover not only a single room but also other larger control zones including work areas, building floors, whole buildings, and even whole campuses.
• The invention provides the capacity to trip individual and groups of sensors remotely.
• The invention allows an emergency event to trip the master zone controllers to improve the overall performance by assuring the required emergency response while reducing energy use and providing more intuitive operation.
• The invention links the space into the lighting control system to provide a standard full-function occupancy interface that includes adjustable occupancy delay time, remote control and monitoring, and a warning period that blinks or dims the lights before turning off.
• The invention maximizes day lighting energy savings by providing daylighting at all user settings, has fewer sensor placement restrictions, and operates with minimal maintenance support.
• The invention enhances the communication protocol to include multiple message types that identify sensor trips with their technology type. With this additional information, the master zone controller then processes each type of sensor trip separately and provide complete multi-sensor, multi-technology benefits.
• The invention measures the light level after each adjustment cycle and then saves that light level as the new daylighting set-point.
• The invention has better management of DALI ballasts and similar devices with fade.
• The invention provides automatic daylighting in public spaces. It simplifies the operation, retains energy savings, and reduces maintenance.
• The invention's relaxed placement restrictions allow one device to house both occupancy and daylighting to reduce both equipment and installation costs.

Overview

The technology disclosed provides the following advantages:

Listing updated August 21, 2026

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