System and method for automatically controlling a device based on rules related to location
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DELTA T CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
Smart Images
Figure US2025029049_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLYCONTROLLING A DEVICE BASED ON RULES RELATED TO LOCATIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 647,349 filed on May 14, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This document relates generally to the device control arts and, more particularly, to a system and method for automatically controlling a device, such as a light, based on a regulation related to a location.BACKGROUND
[0003] In the context of operating certain electronic devices, such as environmental control devices (e.g. lights) or audible or audiovisual devices (e.g. stereos, loudspeakers, sound systems, televisions, movie projectors, etc.), rules, regulations, or recommendations may be in place that govern or affect operation of such devices in certain locations. For example, governmental agencies may place certain restrictions on lighting operation or intensity, including at certain times of day. In other examples, noise ordinances may be placed in certain areas at certain times, such as by a local government agency or statute.
[0004] In other instances, an agency or organization (including non-governmental organizations) may issue rules, suggestions, or recommendations regarding certain operational conditions of electronic devices based on the location of the device itself. For example, an organization related to light pollution may issue recommendations related to timing and / or intensity of outdoor lights in certain areas and / or at certain times. In another example, an environmental organization or a governmental agency may issue recommendations or regulations related to light operation and / or intensity of outdoor lights or audio equipment related to local animal behavioral patterns. This may include ceasing or otherwise limiting operation of outdoor lighting or audio equipment during certain migration or mating seasons for particular wildlife.
[0005] In order to comply with any of these rules, regulations, or recommendations (also referred collectively herein as “rules”) in the operation of relevant electronic devices, human manual action is often required in order to prevent violation of said rules. Moreover, the user must have knowledge of the relevant local rules in the first place in order to maintain compliance. Often such rules are location dependent, as they may apply only to a certain governmental jurisdiction or geolocation based on local environmental conditions or wildlife behavior.
[0006] Accordingly, a need is identified to automate operation of such electronic devices in order to maintain a user’s compliance with local rules.SUMMARY
[0007] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system for automatically controlling a light emitted from a light fixture is provided. The system comprises a controller adapted to obtain a geographic location of the light fixture, automatically retrieve a rule governing operation of the light fixture, said rule being based on the geographic location of the light fixture, and automatically control operation of the light fixture according to the rule.
[0008] In one aspect, the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by prompting a user for the location.
[0009] In another aspect, the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by retrieving the location from a wireless network with which the light fixture is in connection.
[0010] In another aspect, the system further includes a GPS module, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
[0011] In another aspect, the rule is retrieved from a database within or associated with the light fixture.
[0012] In another aspect, the rule is retrieved from a remote database.
[0013] In a further aspect, the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
[0014] In another aspect, the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture comprises turning the light fixture on or off.
[0015] In another aspect, the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture is adapted to adjust an intensity of the light fixture.
[0016] In another aspect, the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture is adapted to adjust a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
[0017] In some aspects, the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity.
[0018] In some aspects, the rule governs operation of the light fixture with respect to an environmental condition.
[0019] In some aspects, the rule governs operation of the light fixture with respect to wildlife behavior.
[0020] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a system for automatically controlling an electronic device is provided. The system comprises the electronic device, and a controller adapted to obtain a geographic location of the device, automatically retrieve a rule governing operation of the electronic device, said rule being based on the geographic location, and automatically control operation of the electronic device according to the rule.
[0021] In one aspect, the electronic device comprises a light fixture.
[0022] In some aspects, the electronic device comprises a ceiling fan.
[0023] In another aspect, the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the electronic device by prompting a user for the geographic location.
[0024] In one aspect, the controller is adapted to obtain the location of the device by retrieving the geographic location from a wireless network with which the electronic device is in connection.
[0025] In one aspect, the system further includes a GPS module, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the device by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
[0026] In one aspect, the rule is retrieved from a database within or associated with the electronic device.
[0027] In one aspect, the rule is retrieved from a remote database.
[0028] In one aspect, the rule or geographic location is pre-programmed at a manufacturer of the electronic device.
[0029] In one aspect, the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
[0030] In one aspect, the controller automatically controlling operation of the electronic device comprises turning the electronic device on or off.
[0031] In one aspect, the controller automatically controlling operation of the electronic device comprises adjusting an intensity of operation of the electronic device.
[0032] In one aspect, the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture comprises adjusting a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
[0033] In one aspect, the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity.
[0034] In one aspect, the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to an environmental condition.
[0035] In one aspect, the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to wildlife behavior.
[0036] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes the steps of obtaining a geographic location of the electronic device, automatically retrieving a rule governing operation of the electronic device at the geographic location, and automatically controlling operation of the electronic device according to the rule.
[0037] In one aspect, the electronic device comprises a light fixture.
[0038] In some aspects, the electronic device comprises a ceiling fan.
[0039] In one aspect, the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the electronic device by prompting a user for the geographic location.
[0040] In one aspect, the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the device by retrieving the geographic location from a wireless network with which the electronic device is in connection.
[0041] In one aspect, the method further includes providing a GPS module, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the device by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
[0042] In one aspect, the retrieving step comprises retrieving the rule from a database within or associated with the electronic device. In one aspect, the retrieving step comprises retrieving the rule from a remote database. In some aspects, the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
[0043] In one aspect, the controlling step comprises turning the electronic device on or off. In some aspects, the controlling step comprises adjusting an intensity of operation of the electronic device. In some aspects, the controlling step comprises adjusting a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
[0044] In one aspect, the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity. In some aspects, the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to an environmentalcondition. In some aspects, the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to wildlife behavior.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic of a first embodiment of system for automatically controlling an electronic device based on a rule specific to the location of the electronic device.
[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic of a second embodiment of a system for automatically controlling a device, including a remote control.
[0047] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an electronic device based on a rule specific to a location of the device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and like numerals represent like details in the various figures. Also, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. In accordance with the disclosure, a system and method for automatically controlling a device based on rules related to location is provided.
[0049] Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which illustrates an exemplary system 10 for automatically controlling an electronic device based on rules specific to the location of the electronic device. The system 10 comprises a light fixture 20 with at least one light such as a bulb 22. The light fixture may be an independent light fixture or may be a fixture associated with another electronic device, such as a ceiling fan. The bulb 22 may be a halogen, CFL, or LED bulb.
[0050] The light fixture 20 may further include a controller 24 for controlling operation of the operation of the or each bulb 22. The controller may comprise a PI, PD, or PID controller, a microchip, a computer, or any other controller adapted to control the operation of the light fixture 20.
[0051] In some embodiments, the controller 24 may include a memory module which stores information related to one or more rules associated with operation of the light fixture. Theone or more rules may be indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to a geographic location. For example, the one or more rules may relate to a given zip code, area code, GPS location or area, city, county, state, region, country, or continent.
[0052] The controller 24 may further be adapted to communicate with a wireless network, such as a modem, router, other networked devices such as within an loT network, or any other communication protocol. In some instances, the controller 24 may be adapted to connect to an Internet network, such as via a WIFI device. The controller may be adapted to obtain a geographic location of the light fixture 20 from the wireless network.
[0053] In some examples, the controller 24 may be adapted to communicate with a remote network via the Internet, such as a cloud network. The remote network may store the one or more rules associated with one or more geographic locations. The controller 24 may be adapted to retrieve one or more of the rules from the remote network that correspond to the location of the light fixture 20.
[0054] In these or other embodiments, the light fixture 26 may include a geolocator, such as a GPS 26. The GPS 26 may be in communication with the controller 24 for providing the controller 24 with a location of the light fixture 20. The controller 24 may correlate the location received from the GPS 26 with a rule stored in the memory of the controller 24 that corresponds to said location. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may query the remote network to retrieve a rule associated with the location received from the GPS 26.
[0055] In these or other embodiments, the light fixture 20 may include a user input 28. This may include a touch screen, one or more buttons such as a keyboard, a voice recognition prompt, or any other device adapted to receive input from a user. In some instances, the user may input the location of the light fixture 20 via the user input 28. The location received from the user via the user input 28 may comprise a zip code, an area code, an address, a city, a county, a state, a region, a country, or a continent.
[0056] The controller 24 may be adapted to receive the location of the light fixture 20 from the user input 28, and then retrieve a rule from the memory associated with the controller 24 that corresponds to said location and / or query the remote network to retrieve a rule associated with the location received from the user input 28.
[0057] In these or other embodiments, the controller 24 may be adapted to operate the light source such as the bulb 22 according to the rule associated with the location of the light fixture 20.
[0058] Referring now to Fig. 2, a system 100 for automatically controlling an electronic device based on rules specific to the location of the electronic device is disclosed. The system 100includes a light fixture 120, which includes at least one light source such as a bulb 122. The light fixture 120 may be alike in all manners to the aforementioned light fixture save for the following specific differences.
[0059] In the example of Fig. 2, a separate remote control 130 is shown for controlling operation of the light fixture 120. The remote control 130 may comprise a hand held device, such as a traditional remote control, or may be a computer, a tablet device, or a smart phone. The remote control 130 may have a communication module 132 such as a radio transmitter and / or receiver, Bluetooth connection, WIFI connection, or other connector adapted to communicate via any wireless communication protocol. The communication module 132 of the remote control 130 may be in communication with a receiver 124 of the light fixture 120.
[0060] In some embodiments, the remote control 130 may include a memory module which stores information related to one or more rules associated with operation of the light fixture. The one or more rules may be indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to a geographic location. For example, the one or more rules may relate to a given zip code, area code, GPS location or area, city, county, state, region, country, or continent.
[0061] The remote control 130 may further be adapted to communicate with a wireless network, such as a modem, router, other networked devices such as within an loT network, or any other communication protocol. In some instances, the remote control 130 may be adapted to connect to an Internet network, such as via a WIFI device. The remote control 130 may be adapted to obtain a geographic location of the remote control 130 and / or the light fixture 120 from the wireless network.
[0062] In some examples, the remote control 130 may be adapted to communicate with a remote network via the Internet, such as a cloud network. The remote network may store the one or more rules associated with one or more geographic locations. The remote control 130 may be adapted to retrieve one or more of the rules from the remote network that correspond to the location of the light fixture 120.
[0063] In these or other embodiments, the light fixture 120 may include a geolocator, such as a GPS 126. The GPS 26 may be in communication with the remote control 130 and / or the receiver 124 for providing the remote control 130 with a location of the light fixture 120. The remote control 130 may correlate the location received from the GPS 126 or the receiver 124 with a rule stored in the memory of the remote control 130 that corresponds to said location. Alternatively or additionally, the remote control 130 may query the remote network to retrieve a rule associated with the location received from the GPS 26.
[0064] The remote control 130 may include a user input 134, such as one or more buttons or a touch screen or touch pad. The user may input the location of the light fixture 120 via the user input 134. The location received from the user via the user input 134 may comprise a zip code, an area code, an address, a city, a county, a state, a region, a country, or a continent. In the case of a touch screen, the user input 134 may further be adapted to display data to a user, such as data related to operation or a status of the light fixture 120.
[0065] The remote control 130 may be adapted to receive the location of the light fixture 120 from the user input 134, and then retrieve a rule from the memory associated with the remote control 130 that corresponds to said location and / or query the remote network to retrieve a rule associated with the location received from the user input 134.
[0066] Turning to Fig. 3, a method is disclosed for automatic control of the electronic device, such as by the controller(s) disclosed herein. In one aspect, the method may be adapted to be performed by any of the systems disclosed herein.
[0067] In a first step 202, the location of an electronic device may obtained. The location can be obtained by any of a user input (e.g. via a user inputting a location to the electronic device itself or to a remote control associated or in communication with the electronic device), a GPS associated or in communication with the electronic device, or the electronic device or remote control automatically retrieving the location (e.g. from a wireless network with which the electronic device or remote control are in connection). The location obtained may be in the form of any of a zip code, area code, GPS location or area, city, county, state, region, country, or continent. In some embodiments, the electronic device or remote control may prompt a user for a location of the electronic device. Such prompt may be by way of the user input itself.
[0068] A second step 204 may comprise retrieving a rule related to operation of the electronic device at the location. Specifically, the rule may be specific to the location. In some instances, rule may be a rule, such as a law or regulation, issued or promulgated by a government entity or agency associated with the location. In other instances, the rule may be a rule issued or promulgated by a non-govemment entity. The rule may have some specific applicability to the location. In some aspects, the rule may relate to an environmental factor associated with the location. In some aspects, the rule may relate to wildlife native to or present in the location.
[0069] The second step may comprise automatically retrieving the rule from a memory associated with the electronic device or the remote control. In some aspects, the second step may comprise automatically retrieving the rule from a remote network via the Internet, such as a cloudnetwork. The rule may be stored on the remote network. The remote network may query the rule from the entity or agency who issued or promulgated the rule.
[0070] In these or other embodiments, the rule may be indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to a geographic location, such as the location obtained in the first step. In some aspects, the rule may be indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to a plurality of geographic locations.
[0071] A third step 206 comprises automatically controlling or operating the electronic device according to the rule retrieved in the second step. This automatic control may comprise automatically turning the electronic device on or off and / or may comprise adjusting an intensity of the electronic device. In some instances, this automatic control according to the retrieved rule may occur without any further input or action from a user.
[0072] In a non-limiting example, the electronic device may comprise a light fixture, such as a light associated with an outdoor ceiling fan. The light fixture may be installed in a location that may be known to have a specific environmental characteristic, such as a location near a coast in which certain wildlife (e.g. sea turtles) may be known to live, mate, migrate, give birth, or hatch. One or more organizations may have established rules, regulations, or suggestions related to operation of exterior lighting in such a location. For example, the organization(s) may have established a rule that no exterior lights should be operated during certain times of the year at night in locations near the ocean or other coastline during night hours so as not to disturb certain behaviors of sea turtles. Alternatively, the rule may limit the intensity or wavelength of light that may be emitted at certain times of year at night in such locations for similar reasons.
[0073] In operation, the light fixture may be adapted to obtain the location of the light fixture. The controller or remote control associated with the light fixture may do so by any of the manners described herein, including automatic determination of location based on GPS data, by data obtained from a wireless network connected to the light fixture, or by prompting a user to provide the location.
[0074] Once the location has been obtained, the controller or remote control may retrieve one or more rules pertaining to the light fixture with respect to the location. This may include, among other things, the rule relating to timing, intensity, and / or wavelength limitations on light operation during certain times of year and / or times of day with respect to that location. The retrieval of this rule may include the controller or remote control querying or otherwise retrieving said rule associated with the location from a database internal to or associated with the light fixture or remote control. In other embodiments, the retrieval of this rule may include querying a remotedatabase for one or more rules associated with the location and retrieving said rule from said remote database. The rule
[0075] Once the rule has been retrieved, the controller or the remote control may be adapted to automatically operate the light fixture according to the rule. Specifically, the controller or remote control may automatically operate the bulb only at certain times and / or during certain seasons based on the retrieved rule. In some instances, the controller or remote control may automatically adjust an intensity or wavelength of the light at certain times and / or during certain seasons based on the retrieved rule.
[0076] In any of the above embodiments, the controller or remote control may be adapted to receive an override command, such as from the user, which may override the automatic operation of the electronic device. For example, if the specific position or placement of the electronic device (e.g. indoors) may negate the application of the rule to the electronic device (e.g. a rule that pertains only to outdoor operation of the electronic device), then the user may choose to override the automatic control according to the rule. Such override command may be provided via the user input.
[0077] Embodiments can be described with reference to the following numerical clauses:
[0078] 1. A system for automatically controlling a light emitted from a light fixture, comprising a controller adapted to obtain a geographic location of the light fixture, automatically retrieve a rule governing operation of the light fixture, said rule being based on the geographic location of the light fixture, and automatically control operation of the light fixture according to the rule.
[0079] 2. The system of clause 1, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by prompting a user for the location.
[0080] 3. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by retrieving the location from a wireless network with which the light fixture is in connection.
[0081] 4. The system of any of the preceding clauses, further including a GPS module, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
[0082] 5. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule is retrieved from a database within or associated with the light fixture.
[0083] 6. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule is retrieved from a remote database.
[0084] 7. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
[0085] 8. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture comprises turning the light fixture on or off
[0086] 9. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture is adapted to adjust an intensity of the light fixture.
[0087] 10. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture is adapted to adjust a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
[0088] 11. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity.
[0089] 12. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule governs operation of the light fixture with respect to an environmental condition.
[0090] 13. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule governs operation of the light fixture with respect to wildlife behavior.
[0091] 14. A system for automatically controlling an electronic device, comprising the electronic device and a controller adapted to obtain a geographic location of the device, automatically retrieve a rule governing operation of the electronic device, said rule being based on the geographic location, and automatically control operation of the electronic device according to the rule.
[0092] 15. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the electronic device comprises a light fixture.
[0093] 16. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the electronic device comprises a ceiling fan.
[0094] 17. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the electronic device by prompting a user for the geographic location.
[0095] 18. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the location of the device by retrieving the geographic location from a wireless network with which the electronic device is in connection.
[0096] 19. The system of any of the preceding clauses, further including a GPS module, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the device by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
[0097] 20. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule is retrieved from a database within or associated with the electronic device.
[0098] 21. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule is retrieved from a remote database.
[0099] 22. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule or geographic location is pre-programmed at a manufacturer of the electronic device.
[0100] 23. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
[0101] 24. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the electronic device comprises turning the electronic device on or off.
[0102] 25. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the electronic device comprises adjusting an intensity of operation of the electronic device.
[0103] 26. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture comprises adjusting a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
[0104] 27. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity.
[0105] 28. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to an environmental condition.
[0106] 29. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to wildlife behavior.
[0107] 30. A method of operating an electronic device comprising:
[0108] obtaining a geographic location of the electronic device;
[0109] automatically retrieving a rule governing operation of the electronic device at the geographic location; and
[0110] automatically controlling operation of the electronic device according to the rule, [oni] 31. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the electronic device comprises a light fixture.
[0112] 32. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the electronic device comprises a ceiling fan.
[0113] 33. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the electronic device by prompting a user for the geographic location.
[0114] 34. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the device by retrieving the geographic location from a wireless network with which the electronic device is in connection.
[0115] 35. The method of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising the step of providing a GPS module, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the device by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
[0116] 36. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the retrieving step comprises retrieving the rule from a database within or associated with the electronic device.
[0117] 37. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the retrieving step comprises retrieving the rule from a remote database.
[0118] 38. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
[0119] 39. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controlling step comprises turning the electronic device on or off.
[0120] 40. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controlling step comprises adjusting an intensity of operation of the electronic device.
[0121] 41. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the controlling step comprises adjusting a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
[0122] 42. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity.
[0123] 43. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to an environmental condition.
[0124] 44. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to wildlife behavior.
[0125] Each of the following terms written in singular grammatical form: “a”, “an”, and the”, as used herein, means “at least one”, or “one or more”. Use of the phrase “One or more” herein does not alter this intended meaning of “a”, “an”, or “the”. Accordingly, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, a plurality of the stated entityor object, unless otherwise specifically defined or stated herein, or the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the phrases: “a unit”, “a device”, “an assembly”, “a mechanism”, “a component, “an element”, and “a step or procedure”, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, a plurality of units, a plurality of devices, a plurality of assemblies, a plurality of mechanisms, a plurality of components, a plurality of elements, and, a plurality of steps or procedures, respectively.
[0126] Each of the following terms: “includes”, “including”, “has”, “having”, “comprises”, and “comprising”, and, their linguistic / grammatical variants, derivatives, or / and conjugates, as used herein, means “including, but not limited to”, and is to be taken as specifying the stated components), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), or step(s), and does not preclude addition of one or more additional component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), step(s), or groups thereof. Each of these terms is considered equivalent in meaning to the phrase “consisting essentially of.” Each of the phrases “consisting of’ and “consists of, as used herein, means “including and limited to”. The phrase “consisting essentially of’ means that the stated entity or item (system, system unit, system sub-unit device, assembly, sub-assembly, mechanism, structure, component element or, peripheral equipment utility, accessory, or material, method or process, step or procedure, sub-step or sub-procedure), which is an entirety or part of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention, or / and which is used for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention, may include at least one additional feature or characteristic” being a system unit system sub-unit device, assembly, subassembly, mechanism, structure, component or element or, peripheral equipment utility, accessory, or material, step or procedure, sub-step or sub-procedure), but only if each such additional feature or characteristic” does not materially alter the basic novel and inventive characteristics or special technical features, of the claimed item.
[0127] Terms of approximation, such as the terms about, substantially, approximately, generally, etc., as used herein, refer to ± 10 % of the stated numerical value or as close as possible to a stated condition.
[0128] It is to be fully understood that certain aspects, characteristics, and features, of the invention, which are, for clarity, illustratively described and presented in the context or format of a plurality of separate embodiments, may also be illustratively described and presented in any suitable combination or sub-combination in the context or format of a single embodiment. Conversely, various aspects, characteristics, and features, of the invention which are illustratively described and presented in combination or sub-combination in the context or format of a singleembodiment may also be illustratively described and presented in the context or format of a plurality of separate embodiments.
[0129] Although the invention has been illustratively described and presented by way of specific exemplary embodiments, and examples thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, or / and variations, thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that all such alternatives, modifications, or / and variations, fall within the spirit of, and are encompassed by, the broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims
In the Claims1. A system for automatically controlling a light emitted from a light fixture, comprising: a controller adapted to obtain a geographic location of the light fixture; automatically retrieve a rule governing operation of the light fixture, said rule being based on the geographic location of the light fixture; and automatically control operation of the light fixture according to the rule.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by prompting a user for the location.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by retrieving the location from a wireless network with which the light fixture is in connection.
4. The system of claim 1, further including a GPS module, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the light fixture by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is retrieved from a database within or associated with the light fixture.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule is retrieved from a remote database.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture comprises turning the light fixture on or off.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture is adapted to adjust an intensity of the light fixture.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture is adapted to adjust a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule governs operation of the light fixture with respect to an environmental condition.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the rule governs operation of the light fixture with respect to wildlife behavior.
14. A system for automatically controlling an electronic device, comprising: the electronic device; and a controller adapted to obtain a geographic location of the device; automatically retrieve a rule governing operation of the electronic device, said rule being based on the geographic location; and automatically control operation of the electronic device according to the rule.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronic device comprises a light fixture.
16. The system of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the electronic device comprises a ceiling fan.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the electronic device by prompting a user for the geographic location.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the location of the device by retrieving the geographic location from a wireless network with which the electronic device is in connection.
19. The system of claim 14, further including a GPS module, wherein the controller is adapted to obtain the geographic location of the device by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein the rule is retrieved from a database within or associated with the electronic device.
21. The system of claim 14, wherein the rule is retrieved from a remote database.
22. The system of claim 14, wherein the rule or geographic location is pre-programmed at a manufacturer of the electronic device.
23. The system of claim 14, wherein the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
24. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the electronic device comprises turning the electronic device on or off.
25. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the electronic device comprises adjusting an intensity of operation of the electronic device.
26. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller automatically controlling operation of the light fixture comprises adjusting a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
27. The system of claim 14, wherein the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity.
28. The system of claim 14, wherein the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to an environmental condition.
29. The system of claim 14, wherein the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to wildlife behavior.
30. A method of operating an electronic device comprising: obtaining a geographic location of the electronic device; automatically retrieving a rule governing operation of the electronic device at the geographic location; and automatically controlling operation of the electronic device according to the rule.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the electronic device comprises a light fixture.
32. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein the electronic device comprises a ceiling fan.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the electronic device by prompting a user for the geographic location.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the device by retrieving the geographic location from a wireless network with which the electronic device is in connection.
35. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of providing a GPS module, wherein the obtaining step comprises obtaining the geographic location of the device by retrieving the location from the GPS module.
36. The method of claim 30, wherein the retrieving step comprises retrieving the rule from a database within or associated with the electronic device.
37. The method of claim 30, wherein the retrieving step comprises retrieving the rule from a remote database.
38. The method of claim 30, wherein the rule being retrieved is indexed, tagged, or otherwise correlated to the geographic location.
39. The method of claim 30, wherein the controlling step comprises turning the electronic device on or off.
40. The method of claim 30, wherein the controlling step comprises adjusting an intensity of operation of the electronic device.
41. The method of claim 30, wherein the controlling step comprises adjusting a wavelength emitted by the light fixture.
42. The method of claim 30, wherein the rule comprises a rule issued by a government entity.
43. The method of claim 30, wherein the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to an environmental condition.
44. The method of claim 30, wherein the rule governs operation of the electronic device with respect to wildlife behavior.