Intelligent lighting control system apparatuses, systems, and methods
The present disclosure provides an intelligent lighting control system for temporarily opening a circuit in the system. The lighting control system includes a light switch module including a switch control circuit. The switch control circuit includes a processor configured to modulate the flow of electrical energy to the lighting circuit via a dimmer circuit to produce a plurality of lighting scenes by varying the illumination of the light bulb. The processor is, in response to receipt of a control command to discontinue illumination of the light bulb, configured to cause, for a first pre-specified period of time, the amperage of the current flowing from an alternating current power supply to the power circuit to be reduced, and open, for the first pre-specified period of time, the electrical connection between the switch control circuit and an electrical connector.
1. A method of operating a lighting control system comprising:
powering, at a first current level and via an AC power source, a base module connected to a lighting circuit of a light fixture in a closed circuit such that a light bulb electrically connected to the light fixture is unilluminated;
converting the AC to DC;
transferring the DC from the base module to a light switch module nested, at least in part, in a well of the base module via a first electrical connector of the base module electrically coupled to a second electrical connector of the light switch module, wherein the second electrical connector is electrically coupled to a switch control circuit in the light switch module, the switch control circuit including a processor configured to modulate a flow of electrical current energy to the lighting circuit via a dimmer circuit to produce a plurality of lighting scenes by varying illumination of the light bulb, wherein the switch control circuit is electrically connected to a rechargeable battery,
in response to receiving a first command from the switch control circuit to illuminate the light bulb, increasing the flow of electrical current energy from the base module to the lighting circuit;
in response to receiving a second command to discontinue the illumination of the light bulb at the light switch module:
1) reducing an amperage of the electrical current energy flowing to the lighting circuit to a first level configured to discontinue the illumination of the light bulb,
2) for a first pre-specified period of time, reducing the amperage of the electrical current energy flowing in the base module to a second level lower than the first current level from the AC power source,
3) for a second pre-specified period of time, opening the electrical connection between the switch control circuit and the second electrical connector, and
4) using the rechargeable battery to power the switch control circuit during the second pre-specified period of time.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising reducing the flow of electrical current energy from the base module to the lighting circuit to a level configured to eliminate the illumination of the light bulb in the light fixture connected to the lighting circuit.
3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising reducing the amperage via a relay.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising closing the electrical connection between the switch control circuit and the second electrical connector to reconnect the switch control circuit and the second electrical connector after the second pre-specified period of time has passed, whereby DC power generated from the AC power powers the switch control circuit.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising recharging the battery via the DC power.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising checking an energy level of the rechargeable battery before temporarily opening the electrical connection to the switch control circuit.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising preventing opening the electrical connection between the switch control circuit and the second electrical connector in response to an energy level of the rechargeable battery being below a pre-determined threshold.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising determining the second pre-specified period of time by determining a period of time for the bulb to at least one of cool down and reach a fully off state.
9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising dimming the bulb after full illumination and before discontinuing illumination.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein receiving the first command from the switch control circuit to illuminate the light bulb, includes receiving a command to illuminate the light bulb at a power less than a full power.