Wireless controller for lighting system

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for controlling at least one lighting system by means of a portable wireless remote control device. The system comprises a portable wireless remote control device, a lighting system controller, and at least one lighting system coupled to the lighting system controller. Each lighting system comprises one or more lighting modules (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent bulbs, etc.). The portable wireless remote control device comprises a wireless transceiver, processor, memory, light control logic, user interface (UI), and an antenna. The lighting system controller-comprises a wireless transceiver, processor, memory, light control logic, and an antenna. Each lighting system coupled (e.g., wired) to the lighting system controller may be wirelessly controlled via the remote control device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system, comprising:
 one or more lighting systems, wherein each lighting system comprises one or more lighting modules; and 
 a remote control device for selectively communicating operational information including one or more control signals to said lighting systems; 
 wherein a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems is adjustable to one of a plurality of lighting functions based on said operational information. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said remote control device comprises a communication module that facilitates wireless communication with said lighting systems via a wireless communication medium; and 
 said remote control device wirelessly communicates operational information to said lighting systems to wirelessly control said lighting systems. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said remote control device is portable. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each lighting system has a lighting controller for controlling a lighting function of said lighting system based on operational information from said remote control device; and 
 said remote control device is further configured to communicate control signals to, and receive control signals from, multiple lighting controllers. 
 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 2 , wherein said remote control device further comprises:
 a user interface for receiving one or more user commands for adjusting a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems; and 
 a control logic for selectively communicating operational information to said lighting systems based on said one or more user commands. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said user interface comprises a keypad for receiving one or more user commands for adjusting a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems; and 
 said keypad includes one or more of the following: an all-on button, an all-off button, a standby button, a function button, a mode button, and a plurality of on/off buttons. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein, in response to a user activating said all-on button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for turning on each of said lighting systems. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein, in response to a user activating said all-off button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for turning off each of said lighting systems. 
     
     
       9. A system, comprising:
 one or more lighting systems, wherein each lighting system includes one or more lighting modules; and 
 a remote control device for selectively communicating operational information including one or more control signals to said lighting systems; 
 wherein operation of said lighting systems is controlled based on said operational information; 
 wherein said remote control device comprises:
 a communication module that facilitates wireless communication with said lighting systems via a wireless communication medium, such that said remote control device wirelessly communicates said operational information to said lighting systems to wirelessly control said lighting systems; 
 a user interface for receiving one or more user commands relating to operation of said lighting systems, wherein said user interface comprises a keypad for receiving said one or more user commands, and said keypad includes one or more of the following: an all-on button, an all-off button, a standby button, a function button, a mode button, and a plurality of on/off buttons; and 
 a control logic for selectively communicating said operational information to said lighting systems based on said one or more user commands; and 
 
 wherein, in response to a user activating said standby button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for setting each of said lighting systems to a standby mode. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 6 , wherein, in response to a user activating said function button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for cycling through said plurality of lighting functions. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of lighting functions includes at least one of the following: a standby lighting function, a sound activated lighting function, and an active lighting function. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 6 , wherein, in response to a user activating said mode button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for cycling through one or more lighting modes of at least one of said lighting systems. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said one or more lighting modes includes at least one of the following: a solid lighting mode, a strobe lighting mode, and pattern lighting mode. 
     
     
       14. A system, comprising:
 one or more lighting systems, wherein each lighting system includes one or more lighting modules; and 
 a remote control device for selectively communicating operational information including one or more control signals to said lighting systems; 
 wherein operation of said lighting systems is controlled based on said operational information; 
 wherein said remote control device comprises:
 a communication module that facilitates wireless communication with said lighting systems via a wireless communication medium, such that said remote control device wirelessly communicates said operational information to said lighting systems to wirelessly control said lighting systems; 
 a user interface for receiving one or more user commands relating to operation of said lighting systems, wherein said user interface comprises a keypad for receiving said one or more user commands, and said keypad includes one or more of the following: an all-on button, an all-off button, a standby button, a function button, a mode button, and a plurality of on/off buttons; and 
 a control logic for selectively communicating said operational information to said lighting systems based on said one or more user commands; 
 
 wherein said plurality of on/off buttons includes an on/off button for each of said lighting systems; and 
 wherein, in response to a user activating an on/button for a particular one of said lighting systems, said remote control device communicates a control signal for turning on or turning off said particular lighting system. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said remote control device individually controls operation of each of said lighting systems. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said remote control device simultaneously controls operation of said lighting systems. 
     
     
       17. A method, comprising:
 selectively communicating operational information including one or more control signals from a remote control device to one or more lighting systems, wherein each lighting system comprises one or more lighting modules; and 
 adjusting a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems to one of a plurality of lighting functions based on said operational information. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 said remote control device wirelessly communicating, via a wireless communication medium, operational information to said lighting systems to wirelessly control said lighting systems. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 said remote control device receiving one or more user commands for adjusting a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems; and 
 said remote control device selectively communicating operational information to said lighting systems based on said one or more user commands. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 said remote control device individually controlling a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 said remote control device simultaneously controlling a lighting function of each lighting system of said lighting systems. 
 
     
     
       22. A remote control device, comprising:
 a user interface for receiving one or more user commands for adjusting a lighting function of one or more lighting systems, wherein each lighting system includes one or more lighting modules; and 
 a control logic for selectively communicating operational information to said lighting systems based on said one or more user commands, wherein a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems is adjustable to one of a plurality of lighting functions based on said operational information. 
 
     
     
       23. The device of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a communication module for wirelessly communicating said operational information to said lighting systems; 
 wherein said remote control device is further configured to:
 individually control a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems; and 
 simultaneously controls a lighting function of each lighting system of said lighting systems. 
 
 
     
     
       24. The device of  claim 23 , wherein:
 said user interface comprises a keypad for receiving one or more user commands for adjusting a lighting function of a lighting system of said lighting systems; and 
 said keypad includes one or more of the following: an all-on button, an all-off button, a standby button, a function button, a mode button, and a plurality of on/off buttons. 
 
     
     
       25. The device of  claim 24 , wherein, in response to a user activating said all-on button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for turning on each of said lighting systems. 
     
     
       26. The device of  claim 24 , wherein, in response to a user activating said all-off button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for turning off each of said lighting systems. 
     
     
       27. A device, comprising:
 one or more lighting systems, wherein each lighting system includes one or more lighting modules; and 
 a remote control device for selectively communicating operational information including one or more control signals to said lighting systems; 
 wherein operation of said lighting systems is controlled based on said operational information; 
 wherein said remote control device comprises:
 a communication module that facilitates wireless communication with said lighting systems via a wireless communication medium, such that said remote control device wirelessly communicates said operational information to said lighting systems to wirelessly control said lighting systems; 
 a user interface for receiving one or more user commands relating to operation of said lighting systems, wherein said user interface comprises a keypad for receiving said one or more user commands, and said keypad includes one or more of the following: an all-on button, an all-off button, a standby button, a function button, a mode button, and a plurality of on/off buttons; and 
 a control logic for selectively communicating said operational information to said lighting systems based on said one or more user commands; and 
 
 wherein, in response to a user activating said standby button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for setting each of said lighting systems to a standby mode. 
 
     
     
       28. The device of  claim 24 , wherein, in response to a user activating said function button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for cycling through said plurality of lighting functions. 
     
     
       29. The device of  claim 24 , wherein, in response to a user activating said mode button, said remote control device communicates a control signal for cycling through one or more lighting modes of at least one of said lighting systems. 
     
     
       30. A device, comprising:
 one or more lighting systems, wherein each lighting system includes one or more lighting modules; and 
 a remote control device for selectively communicating operational information including one or more control signals to said lighting systems; 
 wherein operation of said lighting systems is controlled based on said operational information; 
 wherein said remote control device comprises:
 a communication module that facilitates wireless communication with said lighting systems via a wireless communication medium, such that said remote control device wirelessly communicates said operational information to said lighting systems to wirelessly control said lighting systems; 
 a user interface for receiving one or more user commands relating to operation of said lighting systems, wherein said user interface comprises a keypad for receiving said one or more user commands, and said keypad includes one or more of the following: an all-on button, an all-off button, a standby button, a function button, a mode button, and a plurality of on/off buttons; and 
 a control logic for selectively communicating said operational information to said lighting systems based on said one or more user commands; 
 
 wherein said plurality of on/off buttons includes an on/off button for each of said lighting systems; and 
 wherein, in response to a user activating an on/button for a particular one of said lighting systems, said remote control device communicates a control signal for turning on or turning off said particular lighting system.