# US 2013/0158952 A1 · System and method for lighting optimization > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158952 A1 - Document ID: US20130158952A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/709,307 - Filed: 2012-12-10 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: The Lighting Partnership, Inc - Inventors: BRIAN LIEBEL; RITA LEE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158952A1 ## CPC - G06F 15/00: Digital computers in general (details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00); Data processing equipment in general - F21S 2/00: Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS ## Abstract In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a method for determining a series of alternative lighting systems having reduced energy usage over a baseline lighting system comprises determining and presenting a series of alternative lighting systems. The method receives an identification of a plurality of baseline components of the baseline lighting system and calculates estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system based on specified performance characteristics of the identified baseline components. The series of alternative lighting systems is then determined based on the estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system. Each alternative lighting system includes a plurality of mutually compatible components obtained from a database specifying performance characteristics for a plurality of components including the mutually compatible components. The series of alternative lighting systems are presentable hierarchically based on at least one of energy usage, economic criteria, and rated life. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for determining a series of alternative lighting systems having reduced energy usage over a baseline lighting system, comprising: receiving an identification of a plurality of baseline components of the baseline lighting system; calculating estimates of system performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system based on specified performance characteristics of the identified baseline components; and determining the series of alternative lighting systems based on the estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system, each alternative lighting system including a plurality of mutually compatible components obtained from a database specifying performance characteristics for a plurality of components including the mutually compatible components; and wherein the series of alternative lighting systems are presentable hierarchically based on at least one of energy usage, economic criteria, and rated life. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: permitting selection of a lighting system from the series of alternative lighting systems. ### Claim 3 A method for enabling selection of a lighting system, comprising: receiving an identification of a plurality of baseline components of a baseline lighting system; calculating estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system based on specified performance characteristics of the identified baseline components; determining a series of alternative lighting systems based on the estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system, each alternative lighting system including a plurality of mutually compatible components obtained from a database specifying performance characteristics for a plurality of components including the mutually compatible components; and enabling the selection of the lighting system from the series of alternative lighting systems. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the baseline lighting system includes one or more of a controller, a ballast/driver, a lamp, a luminaire, and a combination device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the baseline lighting system is one of an existing lighting system targeted for replacement, a new lighting system design, or a hybrid lighting system including at least one component of an existing system targeted for replacement and at least one new lighting fixture design. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein enabling the selection further comprises: presenting the series of alternative lighting systems; wherein presenting includes one or both of displaying the series of alternative lighting systems on a display screen and printing the series of alternative lighting systems to a visual medium. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the series of alternative lighting systems are presented hierarchically based on at least one of energy usage, economic criteria, and rated life. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving a wiring scheme and/or switching scheme of the baseline components of the baseline lighting system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving input describing a physical condition of the baseline components of the baseline lighting system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the physical condition of the baseline components includes one or more of luminaire housing geometry, luminaire interior height, lens cleanliness, lens condition, configuration of louvers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the series of alternative light systems is determined based on a calculation that produces light output generally equivalent to the baseline lighting system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the calculation is performed with photopic light metrics and equivalent visual efficiency (EVE) lighting metrics, wherein the EVE lighting metrics include performance characteristics of a light source spectral power distribution and an effect on vision of the light source spectral power distribution. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the EVE lighting metrics are defined by the equation EVE(m)=P(m)×(S/P)(m)0.80 where (m) is the lighting metric being evaluated (luminous flux, luminous intensity, illuminance, luminance or luminous exitance) P=the photopic lighting quantity (the standard for all lighting metrics) (S/P)=the scotopic to photopic ratio of the light source. ### Claim 14 A method for enabling selection of a lighting system, comprising: receiving an identification of a plurality of baseline components of a baseline lighting system; calculating estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system based on specified performance characteristics of the identified baseline components; wherein the estimates of performance characteristics are calculated using at least one or both of photopic photometry and equivalent visual efficiency (EVE) algorithms; determining a series of alternative lighting systems based on the estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system, each alternative lighting system including a plurality of mutually compatible components obtained from a database specifying performance characteristics for a plurality of components including the mutually compatible components; wherein determining the series of alternative lighting systems includes calculating light output of combinations of the plurality of components using at least one or both of photopic photometry and equivalent visual efficiency (EVE) algorithms and comparing the calculation to the estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline system; and enabling the selection of the lighting system from the series of alternative lighting systems. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the baseline lighting system includes one or more of a controller, a ballast/driver, a lamp, a luminaire, and a combination device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the baseline lighting system is one of an existing lighting system targeted for replacement, a new lighting system design, or a hybrid light system including at least one lighting fixture for replacement and at least one new lighting fixture design. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein enabling the selection further comprises: presenting the series of alternative lighting systems; wherein presenting includes one or both of displaying the series of alternative lighting systems on a display screen and printing the series of alternative lighting systems to a visual medium. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the series of alternative lighting systems are presented hierarchically based on at least one of energy usage, economic criteria, and rated life. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving a wiring scheme and/or switching scheme of the baseline components of the baseline lighting system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving input describing a physical condition of the baseline components of the baseline lighting system. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the physical condition of the baseline components includes one or more of luminaire housing geometry, luminaire interior height, lens cleanliness, lens condition, configuration of louvers. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the series of alternative light systems is determined based on a calculation that produces light output generally equivalent to the baseline lighting system. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the EVE lighting metrics are defined by the equation EVE(m)=P(m)×(S/P)(m)0.80 where (m) is the lighting metric being evaluated (luminous flux, luminous intensity, illuminance, luminance or luminous exitance) P=the photopic lighting quantity (the standard for all lighting metrics) (S/P)=the scotopic to photopic ratio of the light source. ### Claim 24 A method for offering to a user a service for selecting a lighting system, comprising: allowing the user access to the service, wherein the service accepts inputs from the user including identification of one or more baseline components of a baseline lighting system; whereupon receiving inputs from the user, the service performs the steps of calculating estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system based on performance characteristics of the identified baseline components specified in a database accessible to the service, and determining a series of alternative lighting systems based on the estimates of performance characteristics of the baseline lighting system, each alternative lighting system including a plurality of mutually compatible components obtained from a database specifying performance characteristics for a plurality of components including the mutually compatible components; and presenting at least a portion of the series of alternative lighting systems to the user; allowing the user to select the lighting system from the at least a portion of the series of alternative lighting systems presented to the user; and generating a specification including the mutually compatible components for the selected lighting system for use by the user. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising: allowing the user to purchase the mutually compatible components of the generated specification via the service. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising: allowing the user to purchase one or more combinations of the mutually compatible components of the generated specification via the service. ### Claim 27 A method for enabling selection of a final lighting system, comprising: receiving an identification of a plurality of components usable in an initial lighting system; calculating estimates of performance characteristics of the initial lighting system based on specified performance characteristics of the identified components; determining a series of alternative lighting systems based on the estimates of performance characteristics of the lighting system, each alternative lighting system including a plurality of mutually compatible components obtained from a database specifying performance characteristics for a plurality of components including the mutually compatible components; and enabling the selection of the final lighting system from the series of alternative lighting systems. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the initial lighting system includes one or more of a controller, a ballast/driver, a lamp, a luminaire, and a combination device.