Communication with lighting units over a power bus
AssigneeTerraLUX, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Koski, Anthony Catalano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A first entity communicates with a second entity over a shared power bus by switching the bus to a high-impedance state and modifying the voltage on the power bus, in accordance with an outgoing communication, such that the modified voltage is detected by the second entity and the communication is received thereto.
Claims25
A method of communication among a plurality of entities connected to a power bus powered by a power supply, the method comprising:
- switching a connection between the power bus and the power supply from a low-impedance state to a high-impedance state;
- modifying a voltage on the power bus, at a first entity connected to the power bus, in accordance with an outgoing communication;
- and
- detecting the modified voltage at a second entity connected to the power bus, thereby receiving the communication at the second entity.
A system for communicating among a plurality of entities powered by a power supply via a power bus, the system comprising:
- an impedance-switching circuit for selecting between a low power-supply output impedance and a high power-supply output impedance;
- a central controller for selecting, using the impedance-switching circuit, the high power-supply output impedance and thereafter sending a command over the power bus;
- and
- a light source for receiving the command, over the power bus, from the central controller and sending a response over the power bus thereto.
A light source, powered by a power supply via a power bus, for communicating with a central controller connected to the power bus, the light source comprising:
- an LED light for emitting light;
- an input circuit for detecting a change in voltage on the power bus initiated by the central controller;
- a processor for interpreting the change in voltage as a command;
- and
- an output circuit for modifying the voltage on the power bus, thereby sending a communication to the central controller, in response to the command.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.