WO2009064049A1

WO2009064049A1 - Power saving apparatus for lighting system and control method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009064049A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002385
Authority: WO
Inventors: Won Kook Park; Jung Sik Ko; Jong Myung Lee; Hyung Min Kook
Original assignee: Dci Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-14
Filing date: 2008-04-28
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Also published as: KR100836533B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power saving apparatus for a lighting system and a method of controlling the power saving apparatus. In the case where the on/off switches of lamps are in an ON state, when the presence of a user is detected in the state in which indoor illuminance is lower than reference illuminance, the lamps are turned on. In contrast, if the presence of a user is not detected for a specific time period after the lamps have been turned on, the brightness of the lamps is decreased gradually and then the lamps are maintained at the minimal brightness or are turned off. Accordingly, power consumption attributable to the unnecessary lighting of lamps can be reduced, eye fatigue attributable to abrupt changes in illuminance can be prevented, and a user can be easily prepared for the turning on and off of the lamps.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title]

POWER SAVING APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF [Technical Field]

The present invention relates, in general, to a power saving apparatus for a lighting system which is capable of controlling and managing lamps, and, more particularly, to a power saving apparatus for a lighting system and a method of controlling the power saving apparatus which are capable of not only significantly reducing power consumption attributable to the unnecessary lighting of lamps but also preventing indoor illuminance from decreasing abruptly when sensors do not detect a user although the user is present. [Background Art]

Generally, lamps installed indoors or outdoors are equipped with electronic or mechanical on/off switches for turning the lamps on and off. That is, when a user turns the on/off switches to an ON state, the lamps are supplied with power and then enter a turned-on state. In contrast, when a user turns the on/off switches to an OFF state, power being supplied to the lamps is cut off and then the lamps enter a turned-off state.

However, the on/off switches are inconvenient in that a user must manipulate them manually and individually in order to turn on and off the lamps. The on/off switches are problematic in that, in the case where a user forgets to turn off lamps after the lamps have been turned on, unnecessary power consumption occurs . In order to solve these problems, there was proposed a lighting control system in which lamps were switched selectively to a turned-on state and a turned-off state depending on the presence of a user and the indoor illuminance. This lighting control system generally includes human body detection means for detecting whether a user is present or not, illuminance detection means for detecting indoor illuminance, and a light source for emitting a predetermined amount of light. The combination of output signals from the human body detection means and the illuminance detection means functions as an on/off switch.

However, the above-described conventional lighting control system has problems in that high installation costs are incurred because specially fabricated lamps must be newly installed in place of existing lamps, the installation of the specially fabricated lamps is complicated, and, in the case of fluorescent lamps, power consumption increases due to frequent changes in the state of the lamps attributable to the frequent entry and exit of users because the lamps have only turned-on and turned-off states. Furthermore, in the case in which the user is not appropriately recognized by the human body detection means although a user is present indoors in the state in which lamps are turned on during the nighttime, the conventional lighting control system changes indoor illuminance abruptly because the lamps are automatically turned off. Accordingly, the conventional lighting control system has problems in that a user easily experiences eye fatigue and is instantly confused, thereby sometimes spoiling important work or feeling as if his or her safety is threatened. [Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power saving apparatus for a lighting system and a method of controlling the power saving apparatus which significantly reduce power consumption attributable to the unnecessary lighting of lamps by turning on or off the lamps depending on surrounding movement and brightness, and which, in order to prevent indoor illuminance from decreasing abruptly in the case where a sensor does not detect a user although the user is present, control the brightness of the lamps by gradually decreasing it for a specific time period when there is no surrounding movement in the state in which the lamps are turned on. Another object of the present invention is to provide a power saving apparatus for a lighting system and a method of controlling the power saving apparatus which can be conveniently applied to lamps in existing old buildings at low installation cost, which enables many lamps, such as those in an intelligent building, to be checked at a glance, and which can control lamps individually or collectively according to a user's schedule.

[Technical Solution] In order to accomplish the above objects, the first embodiment of the present invention provides a power saving apparatus for a lighting system, including a sensor module for detecting the extent of surrounding brightness and motion; and a dimming ballast module comprising an electric circuit for controlling voltage input to lamps in response to a signal input from the sensor module; wherein, when on/off switches of the lamps are turned to an ON state, the power saving apparatus start operating upon initial lighting of the lamps, wherein, if surrounding movement is not detected, brightness of the lamps in a turned-on state is decreased gradually and then the lamps are maintained at a minimal brightness level or are turned off, and wherein, if surrounding movement is detected, the lamps in a turned-off state are turned on, and the lamps in a turned-on state are controlled such that they have a preset brightness level. Additionally, in order to accomplish the above objects, the second embodiment of the present invention provides a power saving apparatus for a lighting system, including a sensor module configured to start operating upon initial lighting of lamps when on/off switches of the lamps are turned to an ON state and then detecting extent of surrounding brightness and motion; a dimming ballast module configured to start operating along with the sensor module, and to comprise an electric circuit for controlling voltage input to the lamps in response to a signal received from the sensor module and transmitting state signals of the lamps to the sensor module; and a central control module for not only indirectly controlling the dimming ballast module through the sensor module but also displaying states of the lamps through the dimming ballast module; wherein, if surrounding movement is not detected, brightness of the lamps in a turned-on state is decreased gradually, and, when the brightness of the lamps becomes minimal, the lamps are maintained at minimal brightness or are turned off, and wherein, if surrounding movement is detected, the lamps in a turned-off state are turned on, and the lamps in a turned-on state are controlled such that they have a preset brightness level.

In the second embodiment, the sensor module is connected to the central control module via a wireless connection. Here, the sensor module includes an RF module for performing bidirectional communication with the central control module.

In the second embodiment, the central control module is equipped with user information, user authorities, management information of the lamps, and a scheduling function in order to control brightness of the lamps as well as on/off states of the lamps over time .

In the first and second embodiments, the dimming ballast module and the sensor module have respective Micro Controller Units (MCUs) and are implemented in respective different circuit boards.

Here, the dimming ballast module is installed in the lamps, and the sensor module is separated from the lamps. Furthermore, the dimming ballast module and the sensor module are connected to each other in a wired manner via RS232 communication.

In the first and second embodiments, the sensor module comprises a dip switch for setting brightness and a brightness hold period for the lamps when the lamps are turned on.

Furthermore, the dip switch comprises a plurality of on/off switches.

Furthermore, the dip switch further comprises an on/off switch for, if surrounding movement is not detected, determining whether to turn off the lamps in a minimal brightness state.

Additionally, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a method of controlling the power saving apparatus for a lighting system according to the first and second embodiments, the method includes step 1 of setting brightness and a brightness hold period of lamps for lighting of the lamps using a dip switch included in a sensor module for detecting surrounding movement and brightness; step 2 of turning on/off switches of the lamps to an ON state; step 3 of, in the state in which the lamps are turned on, determining whether there is a nearby moving body for a specific time period; step 3a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 3, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, controlling the brightness of the lamps according to a value set by the dip switch and then returning to step 3; step 4 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 3 , a nearby moving body is determined not to be present, determining whether current brightness of the lamps is minimal; step 4a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 4, the brightness of the lamps is determined not to be minimal, controlling the brightness of the lamps so that it is decreased by one level and then returning to step 3; step 5 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 4, the brightness of the lamps is determined to be minimal, turning off the lamps; step 6 of, in the state in which the lamps are turned off, determining whether there exists a nearby moving body for a specific time period; step 6a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 6 , a nearby moving body is determined not to be present, returning to step 6; and step 6b of, if, as a result of the determination at step 6, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, turning on the lamps according to a value set by the dip switch and then returning to step 3.

Additionally, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a method of controlling the power saving apparatus for a lighting system according to the first and second embodiments, the method including step 1 of setting brightness and a brightness hold period of lamps for lighting of the lamps through a dip switch included in a sensor module for detecting surrounding movement and brightness; step 2 of turning on/off switches of the lamps to an on state; step 3 of, in the state in which the lamps are turned on, determining whether there is a nearby moving body for a specific time period; step 3a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 3, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, controlling the brightness of the lamps according to a value set by the dip switch and then returning to step 3; step 4 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 3, a nearby moving body is determined not to be present, determining whether current brightness of the lamps is minimal; step 4a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 4, the brightness of the lamps is determined not to be minimal, controlling the brightness of the lamps so that it is decreased by one level and then returning to step 3; step 5 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 4, the brightness of the lamps is determined to be minimal, determining a state of a SWl for determining whether to turn off the lamps; step 5a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 5, SWl is determined to be in an OFF state, maintaining the brightness of the lamps as it is and then returning to step 3; step 6 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 5, SWl is determined to be in an ON state, turning off the lamps; step 7 of, in the state in which the lamps are turned off, determining whether there exists a nearby moving body for a specific time period; step 7a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 7, a nearby moving body is determined not to be present, returning to step 7; and step 7b of, if, as a result of the determination at step 7, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, turning on the lamps according to a value set by the dip switch and then returning to step 3. [Advantageous Effects] As described above, the power saving apparatus for a lighting system and the method of controlling the power saving apparatus according to the present invention significantly reduce power consumption attributable to the unnecessary lighting of lamps by turning on or off the lamps depending on surrounding movement and brightness, and, in the case where there is no surrounding movement in the state in which the lamps are turned on, control the brightness of the lamps so that it decreases gradually for a specific time period, thereby solving a problem in which, in the case where a sensor does not detect a user even though the user is present, indoor illuminance decreases abruptly. As a result, the present invention is advantageous in that a user can reduce his or her eye fatigue and can also be easily prepared for changes in indoor illuminance.

Furthermore, the power saving apparatus for a lighting system and the method of controlling the power saving apparatus according to the present invention are advantageous in that it can be conveniently applied to lamps in existing old buildings at low installation cost, enables the state of many lamps, such as those in an intelligent building, to be checked at a glance, and can control the lamps individually or collectively according to a user's schedule. [Description of Drawings] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power saving apparatus for a lighting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power saving apparatus for a lighting system according to a second embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of the sensor modules shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of the dimming ballast modules shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power saving apparatuses for a lighting system according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

<Description of reference numerals of principal elements in the drawings> Ia and Ib: lamp

100 and 200: power saving apparatus for a lighting system

110 and 210: sensor module

120 and 220: dimming ballast module

230: central control module 111 and 211: first RS232 communication port

112 and 212: first MCU 114 and 214: dip switch

115 and 215: illuminance detection circuit

116 and 216: moving body detection circuit

116a and 216a: PIR sensor connector and primary amp circuit 116b and 216b: secondary amp circuit 116c and 216c: error correction circuit

121 and 221: second RS232 communication port

122 and 222: second MCU

123a and 223a: first dimming ballast control unit 123b and 223b: first lamp connection unit

124a and 224a: second lamp connection unit 124b and 124b: second lamp connection unit

125 and 225: lamp detection unit

126 and 226: EMI filter and AC input unit 127 and 227: power-factor correction circuit and DC rectification unit

128 and 228: sensor board power unit

[Best Mode]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power saving apparatus for a lighting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power saving apparatus for a lighting system according to a second embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power saving apparatus for a lighting system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor module 110 configured to detect the extent of surrounding brightness and movement and a dimming ballast module 120 provided with an electric circuit for controlling voltage applied to lamps Ia and Ib in response to a signal input from the sensor module 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the power saving apparatus for a lighting system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor module 210 configured to detect the extent of surrounding movement, a dimming ballast module 220 provided with an electric circuit for not only controlling voltage applied to lamps Ia and Ib in response to a signal input from the sensor module 210 but also transmitting the state signals of the lamps Ia and Ib to the sensor module 210, and a central control module 230 configured to not only indirectly control the dimming ballast module 220 through the sensor module 210 but also display the state of the dimming ballast module 220.

In this case, the central control module 210 is used to remotely control the lamps. In particular, in the case where a plurality of power saving apparatuses for a lighting system 100 according to the first embodiment is distributed throughout a plurality of places, the central control module 210 monitors and controls them more conveniently and systematically within a short period of time.

Accordingly, the sensor module 210 is provided with means for performing bidirectional communication with the central control module 230. In the following description, the sensor module 210 will be described as including an RF module 213 as the means for performing wireless communication with the central control module 230. In the above-described first and second embodiments 100 and 200, it should be noted that, when the presence of a user is not detected after the lamps Ia and Ib have been turned on, the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib is gradually decreased over a preset period of time and then the lamps Ia and Ib are maintained at the minimal brightness or are turned off.

Here, although the present invention may be provided such that brightness in the case where the lamps Ia and Ib are turned on and a brightness hold period in the case where a human body is detected are set to predetermined values, it is preferred that means (hereinafter referred to as ^xa dip switch' ) for appropriately controlling the brightness hold period depending on the situation be included.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments 100 and 200 of the present invention, when surrounding movement is detected, the lamps Ia and Ib in a turned-off state are turned on, and the lamps Ia and Ib in a turned-on state are controlled so that the brightness thereof is adjusted to a preset brightness level. Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments 100 and 200 of the present invention, it is preferred that the sensor module 110 or 210 and the dimming ballast module 120 or 220 be implemented in respective different circuit boards, and Micro Controller Units (MCUs), connected to each other through a cable, be provided in the respective circuit boards. This is intended to minimize a phenomenon in which signals input from the sensor modules 110 and 210 are distorted by current and voltage applied to the lamps Ia and Ib. In this case, it is preferred that RS232 communication be used for the wired connection between the sensor module 110 or 210 and the dimming ballast module 120 or 220.

Furthermore, the dimming ballast module 120 or 220 is disposed adjacent to the lamps Ia and Ib, and the sensor module 110 or 210 is sufficiently spaced apart from the lamps Ia and Ib. Here, the distance by which the sensor module 110 or 210 is spaced apart from the lamps Ia and Ib is determined within a range which is suitable for RS232 communication and which tolerates interference caused by electrical signals applied to the lamps Ia and Ib.

Meanwhile, in the first and second embodiments 100 and 200 of the present invention, it is preferred that the sensor module 110 or 210 and the dimming ballast module 120 or 220 start operating upon the initial lighting of the lamps Ia and Ib when the on/off switches of the lamps Ia and Ib are turned to an ON state.

Accordingly, the present invention may be applied to a typical illumination apparatus the lighting of which is determined depending on the states of the on/off switches even though it is not a specially fabricated illumination apparatus .

Furthermore, in the second embodiment 200, it is preferred that the central control module 230 operate regardless of whether the sensor module 210 and the dimming ballast module 220 operate. That is, regardless of the state in which the on/off switches of the lamps Ia and Ib are, the central control module 230 may turn on and off the lamps Ia and Ib as desired by a user.

The reason for this is that the sensor module 210 and the dimming ballast module 220 (connected to the central control module 230) may be disposed in each of the lamps Ia and Ib, and the sensor modules 210 and the dimming ballast modules

220 may be in different states.

In the following description, the sensor modules 110 and 210 and dimming ballast modules 120 and 220 of the first and second embodiments 100 and 200 will be described in greater detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of the sensor modules shown in FIGS . 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of the dimming ballast modules shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this case, reference numerals are assigned on the basis of the second embodiment 200, which includes all the constituent elements constituting the first embodiment 100. Meanwhile, the reference numerals of the elements constituting the first embodiment 100 are indicated in parentheses.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor module 210 (110) of the second embodiment 200 (the first embodiment 100) transfers signals input from a PIR sensor and an illuminance sensor for detecting surrounding movement and brightness, respectively, to the dimming ballast module 220 (120) via RS232 communication, and includes a first MCU 212 (112) for generally controlling all the elements, a first RS232 communication port (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) 211 (111) for communicating with the dimming ballast module 222 (120), an illuminance detection circuit 215 (115) for transferring the detection signal of the illuminance sensor to the first MCU 212 (112), and a moving body detection circuit 216 (116) for transferring the detection signal of the PIR sensor to the first MCU 212 (112).

Here, the moving body detection circuit 216 (116) includes a PIR sensor connector and primary amp circuit 216a (116a) for supplying power to the PIR sensor and amplifying a signal acquired from the PIR sensor, a secondary amp circuit 216b (116b) for amplifying a human body detection signal, which has been amplified primarily, to the extent that it can be recognized by the first MCU 212 (112), and an error correction circuit 216c (116c) for preventing malfunction that is generated when the PIR sensor reacts to light or an object other than a human body.

In addition, it is preferred that the sensor module 210 (110) further includes a dip switch 214 (114) for setting brightness when the lamps Ia and Ib are turned on and a brightness hold period for the lamps Ia and Ib when a human body is detected.

It is preferred that the dip switch 214 (114) include a plurality of on/off switches, including a SWl (not shown) with a function of, in the case where surrounding movement is not detected when the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib is minimal, determining whether to turn off the lamps Ia and Ib.

For example, the dip switch 114, 214 includes switch SWl, switches SW2, SW3 and SW4 for setting a brightness hold period for the lamps Ia and Ib when a human body is detected, and switches SW5, SW6, and SW7 for setting brightness when the lamps Ia and Ib are turned on. Here, the brightness hold period of the lamps set by SW3 to SW4 has eight types of states, the brightness of the lamps set by SW5 to SW7 has eight types of states, respectively, and each of them may be set to one of the eight types of states.

Meanwhile, the sensor module 210 of the second embodiment 200 further includes an RF module 213 for wireless communicating with the central control module 230, transfers a signal input from the central control module 230 to the dimming ballast module 220 via RS232 communication, and transfers the state signals of the lamps Ia and Ib input from the dimming ballast module 220 to the central control module 230. As shown in FIG. 4, the dimming ballast module 220 of the second embodiment 200 (the first embodiment 100) controls voltage which will be applied to the lamps Ia and Ib according to a human body detection signal, a brightness signal and a value set by the dip switch 214, and includes an EMI filter and AC input unit 216 (126) for minimizing external electromagnetic interference affecting AC power supplied thereto, a power-factor correction circuit and rectifier 227 (127) for converting AC power into DC power and improving a power factor, a lamp detection unit 225 (125) for detecting the connection and operational state of the lamps Ia and Ib, a first dimming ballast control unit 223a (123a) and a second dimming ballast control unit 223b (123b) for controlling the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib in response to an external control signal, a second RS232 communication port 221 (121) for communicating with the sensor modules 210 (HO), a second MCU 222 (122) for outputting control signals necessary for the first and second dimming ballast control units 223 (123) by determining the state signals of the lamps Ia and Ib received from the dimming ballast control units 223 (123) and the lamp detection unit 225 (125), and operating according to a predetermined operational scenario by recognizing a human body detection signal and a brightness signal received from the sensor module 210 (110) via RS232 communication, lamp connection units 224 (124) provided with respective noise reduction circuits and connected to the lamps Ia and Ib, and a sensor board power unit 228 (128) for generating power necessary for the second MCU 222 (122) and the sensor module 210 (110). Here, the operational scenario of the second MCU 122, 222 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

Although not shown in the drawing, the central control module 230 of the second embodiment 200 includes a PC for enabling the states of the lamps Ia and Ib to be identified with the naked eye and enabling control commands to be input, a web server provided with user information, user authorities, the management information of the lamps, and a scheduling function, and configured in the form of a database in order to control the lamps over time, and a gateway for distributing and transmitting control signals to the sensor modules installed in the plurality of lamps Ia and Ib and receiving the state signals of the lamps.

Meanwhile, although in the above-described embodiments, one dimming ballast module 220 (120) is installed to control one lamp or two lamps individually, it is apparent that the dimming ballast module 220 (120) is not limited thereto, but may be installed to control four or more lamps individually when necessary.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power saving apparatuses for a lighting system according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and shows an operational scenario of the second MCU of the dimming ballast module directly connected to the lamps.

In this drawing, only items common to the first and second embodiments 100 and 200 are illustrated. The reason for this is that an operation by the central control module 230 has priority over an operational scenario by the second MCU 222.

As shown in FIG. 5, the method of controlling the power saving apparatuses 100 and 200 for a lighting system according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention first performs step 1 SlOO of setting the brightness and brightness hold period of the lamps Ia and Ib during the lighting of the lamps by using the dip switch 114 or 214 included in the sensor module 110 or 210 for detecting surrounding movement and brightness.

Thereafter, step 2 S200 of turning the on/off switches of the lamps Ia and Ib to an on state is performed. At this time, the lamps Ia and Ib are turned on at the same time that the on/off switches are turned on.

Step 3 S300 of determining whether there is a nearby moving body for a specific time period in the state in which the lamps Ia and Ib are turned on is performed.

If, as a result of the determination at step 3 S300, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, step 3a S310 of controlling the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib according to a value set by the dip switch 214 (114) and then returning to step 3 S300 is performed.

If, as a result of the determination at step 3 S300, a nearby moving body is determined to not be present, step 4 S400 of determining whether the current brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib is minimal is performed.

If, as a result of the determination at step 4 S400, the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib is determined not to be minimal, step 4a S410 of decreasing the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib by one level and then returning to step 3

S300 is performed.

If, as a result of the determination at step 3 S400, the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib determined to be minimal, step 5 S500 of determining the state of SWl for determining whether to turn off the lamps Ia and Ib is performed.

If, as a result of the determination at step 5 S500, SWl is determined to be in an OFF state, step 5a S510 of, in the state in which the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib is maintained as it is, returning to step 3 S300 is performed.

If, as a result of the determination at step 5 S500, the SWl is determined to be in an ON state, step 6 S600 of turning off the lamps Ia and Ib is performed.

After step 6 S600, step 7 S700 of, in the state in which the lamps Ia and Ib are turned off, determining whether there exists a nearby moving body for a specific time period is performed.

If, as a result of the determination at step 7 S700, no nearby moving body is determined to be present, step 7a S710 of returning to step 7 700 is performed.

If, as a result of the determination at step 7 S700, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, step 7-b

S720 of turning on the lamps Ia and Ib according to a value set by the dip switch 214 (114) and then returning to step 3 S300 is performed.

Meanwhile, in the case where SWl does not exist, steps 5 and 5a S500 and S510 are omitted. That is, in the method of controlling the power saving apparatus for a lighting system according to the present invention, if the brightness of the lamps Ia and Ib is determined to be minimal at step 4 S400 in the case where SWl is not included in the dip switch 214 (114), the process returns immediately to step 6 S600, at which the lamps Ia and Ib are turned off immediately.

As described above, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in the detailed description of the present invention, those skilled in the art can modify the present invention in various ways yet remain within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the rights of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and should be defined based on not only the appended claims but also the equivalents of the claims.

[industrial Applicability] The present invention relates to a power saving apparatus for a lighting system and a method of controlling the power saving apparatus which are capable of not only significantly reducing power consumption attributable to the unnecessary- lighting of lamps but also preventing indoor illuminance from decreasing abruptly when sensors do not detect a user although the user is present. It is expected that the demands for lamps equipped with such apparatuses will increase more and more in line with the popularization of unmanned surveillance systems.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

[Claim l]

A power saving apparatus for a lighting system, comprising: a sensor module for detecting an extent of surrounding brightness and motion; and a dimming ballast module comprising an electric circuit for controlling voltage input to lamps in response to a signal input from the sensor module; wherein, when on/off switches of the lamps are turned to an ON state, the power saving apparatus start operating upon initial lighting of the lamps, and wherein, if surrounding movement is not detected, brightness of the lamps in a turned-on state is decreased gradually and then the lamps are maintained at a minimal brightness level or are turned off, and wherein, if surrounding movement is detected, the lamps in a turned-off state are turned on, and the lamps in a turned- on state are controlled such that they have a preset brightness level.

[Claim 2]

A power saving apparatus for a lighting system, comprising: a sensor module configured to start operating upon initial lighting of lamps when on/off switches of the lamps are turned to an ON state and then detecting extent of surrounding brightness and motion; a dimming ballast module configured to start operating along with the sensor module, and to comprise an electric circuit for controlling voltage input to the lamps in response to a signal received from the sensor module and transmitting state signals of the lamps to the sensor module; and a central control module for not only indirectly controlling the dimming ballast module through the sensor module but also displaying states of the lamps through the dimming ballast module; wherein, if surrounding movement is not detected, brightness of the lamps in a turned-on state is decreased gradually, and, when the brightness of the lamps becomes minimal, the lamps are maintained at minimal brightness or are turned off, and wherein, if surrounding movement is detected, the lamps in a turned-off state are turned on, and the lamps in a turned- on state are controlled such that they have a preset brightness level.

[Claim 3]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensor module is connected to the central control module via a wireless connection.

[Claim 4]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sensor module comprises a Radio Frequency (RF) module for performing bidirectional communication with the central control module.

[Claim 5]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the central control module is equipped with user information, user authorities, management information of the lamps, and a scheduling function in order to control brightness of the lamps as well as on/off states of the lamps over time .

[Claim 6]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dimming ballast module and the sensor module have respective Micro Controller Units (MCUs) and are implemented in respective different circuit boards .

[Claim 7]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the dimming ballast module is installed in the lamps, and the sensor module is separated from the lamps .

[Claim 8]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the dimming ballast module and the sensor module are connected to each other in a wired manner via RS232 communication .

[Claim 9]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor module comprises a dip switch for setting brightness and a brightness hold period for the lamps when the lamps are turned on.

[Claim 10]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the dip switch comprises a plurality of on/off switches. [Claim ll]

The power saving apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the dip switch further comprises an on/off switch for, if surrounding movement is not detected, determining whether to turn off the lamps in a minimal brightness state. [Claim 12]

A method of controlling a power saving apparatus for a lighting system, the method comprising: step 1 of setting brightness and a brightness hold period of lamps for lighting of the lamps using a dip switch included in a sensor module for detecting surrounding movement and brightness; step 2 of turning on/off switches of the lamps to an ON state; step 3 of, in the state in which the lamps are turned on, determining whether there is a nearby moving body for a specific time period; step 3a of, if, as a result of the determination at step

3, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, controlling the brightness of the lamps according to a value set by the dip switch and then returning to step 3 ; step 4 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 3, a nearby moving body is determined not to be present, determining whether current brightness of the lamps is minimal ; step 4a of, if, as a result of the determination at step

4, the brightness of the lamps is determined not to be minimal, controlling the brightness of the lamps so that it is decreased by one level and then returning to step 3 ; step 5 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 4, the brightness of the lamps is determined to be minimal, turning off the lamps; step 6 of , in the state in which the lamps are turned off, determining whether there exists a nearby moving body for a specific time period; step 6a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 6, a nearby moving body is determined not to be present, returning to step 6; and step 6b of, if, as a result of the determination at step

6, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, turning on the lamps according to a value set by the dip switch and then returning to step 3 .

[Claim 13 ]

A method of controlling a power saving apparatus for a lighting system, the method comprising: step 1 of setting brightness and a brightness hold period of lamps for lighting of the lamps through a dip switch included in a sensor module for detecting surrounding movement and brightness; step 2 of turning on/off switches of the lamps to an on state; step 3 of, in the state in which the lamps are turned on, determining whether there is a nearby moving body for a specific time period; step 3a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 3, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, controlling the brightness of the lamps according to a value set by the dip switch and then returning to step 3; step 4 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 3, a nearby moving body is determined not to be present, determining whether current brightness of the lamps is minimal; step 4a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 4, the brightness of the lamps is determined not to be minimal, controlling the brightness of the lamps so that it is decreased by one level and then returning to step 3; step 5 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 4, the brightness of the lamps is determined to be minimal, determining a state of a SWl for determining whether to turn off the lamps; step 5a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 5, SWl is determined to be in an OFF state, maintaining the brightness of the lamps as it is and then returning to step 3; step 6 of, if, as a result of the determination at step 5, SWl is determined to be in an ON state, turning off the lamps ; step 7 of, in the state in which the lamps are turned off, determining whether there exists a nearby moving body for a specific time period; step 7a of, if, as a result of the determination at step 7, a nearby moving body is determined not to be present, returning to step 7; and step 7b of, if, as a result of the determination at step 7, a nearby moving body is determined to be present, turning on the lamps according to a value set by the dip switch and then returning to step 3.