Grid connected coordinated lighting adapter

• US 10,004,128 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2015
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wireless Environment LLC (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wireless Environment LLC (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Recker, Michael V., Levine, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen, Jianzi
• Application Number:
  US14/974,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20160105943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 315209 R, 315210, 315224, 315225, 315 86, 315119, 315127, 315160, 315161, 315171, 315172, 315173, 315186, 315187, 315193, 315291, 315294, 315295, 315297, 315299, 315306, 315307, 315308, 315311, 315362
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/15 Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/357 specially adapted for retrofit LED light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/24 Circuit arrangements for protecting against overvoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/28 Circuit arrangements for protecting against abnormal temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for systems and methods that employ a control component and/or power source integrated in an LED based light source to control and/or power the LED light source wirelessly. In embodiments, the LED based light source may take the form of a standard light bulb that plugs into a standard lighting socket or fixture.

Claims

1. A power module for providing power to an electrical circuit that includes at least one light source, the power module comprising:

an alternating current (AC) power input device configured to receive AC power for supplying to the electrical circuit and powering the at least one light source;

a receiver configured to receive a coordinated lighting control signal from a disparate wireless lighting module located remotely from the power module, wherein the disparate wireless lighting module comprises at least a light source, a motion sensor, and a battery; and

a controller configured to, when the motion sensor detects motion;

start a timer;

control application of AC power from the AC power input device to the electrical circuit, wherein the coordinated lighting control signal commands the application of AC power to the electrical circuit to illuminate the at least one light source at substantially the same time as illumination of the disparate wireless lighting module; and

at the expiration of the timer, after the motion is no longer detected, control disconnection of AC power from the AC power input device to the electrical circuit to turn off the illumination of the at least one light source at substantially the same time as turning off the illumination of the disparate wireless lighting module.

2. The power module of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the application of AC power from the AC power input device to the electrical circuit based on the coordinated lighting control signal that is received from the disparate wireless lighting module.

3. The power module of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver, and the coordinated lighting control signal includes one of an on signal, an off signal, or a change in brightness signal transmitted to the receiver.

4. The power module of claim 1, wherein the AC power input device is in electrical communication with, and receives the AC power from, a connector configured to connect with an electric wall outlet.

5. The power module of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one of a light emitting diode (LED), a compact fluorescent, a fluorescent, a halogen, and an incandescent.

6. The power module of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one of a spotlight, a ceiling light, an under-cabinet light, a wall sconce, a step light, a night light, a light bulb, and a light fixture.

7. The power module of claim 1, further comprising a battery and an inverter circuit, wherein the controller is configured to control the application of AC power from the battery and the inverter circuit by controlling application of direct current (DC) power to the inverter circuit.

8. The power module of claim 1, wherein the light source of the disparate wireless lighting module comprises at least one of a spotlight, a path light, a night light, a ceiling light, and a wall light.

9. A power adapter, comprising:

an Edison socket interface configured to supply alternating current (AC) power to a light source connected to the Edison socket interface;

an Edison base interface configured to receive AC power for providing to the light source and the Edison socket interface;

a receiver configured to receive a coordinated lighting control signal from a disparate wireless lighting module located remotely from the power adapter, wherein the disparate wireless lighting module comprises at least another light source, a motion sensor, and a battery; and

a controller configured to, when the motion sensor detects motion;

start a timer, control application of AC power from the Edison base interface to the Edison socket interface and to the light source in response to the coordinated lighting control signal, and at the expiration of the timer, after the motion is no longer detected, control disconnection of AC power from the Edison base interface to the electrical circuit to turn off the illumination of the light source at substantially the same time as turning off the illumination of the disparate wireless lighting module.

10. The power adapter of claim 9, wherein the power adapter is configured to be removably inserted into the Edison socket.

11. The power adapter of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of the application of AC power from the Edison base interface to the Edison socket interface based on input that is received from the disparate wireless lighting module and transmitted to the receiver.

12. The power adapter of claim 9, wherein the receiver includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver, and the coordinated lighting control signal is wirelessly transmitted to the receiver.

13. The power adapter of claim 9, wherein the light source connected to the Edison socket interface includes at least one of an incandescent light source, a fluorescent light source, and an LED light source.

14. The power adapter of claim 9, wherein the light source connected to the Edison socket interface comprises at least one of a ceiling light, a light bulb, a light fixture, and a retrofit recessed lighting module.

15. The power adapter of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to control the application of AC power from an inverter circuit by controlling application of direct current (DC) power from a battery to the inverter circuit.

16. The power adapter of claim 15, wherein the battery includes at least one of a non-rechargeable battery and a rechargeable battery.

17. A coordinated network lighting system configured to provide power to at least one light source, the network lighting system comprising:

a disparate wireless lighting module including a light source, a battery, an environmental sensor, and a transmitter, wherein the disparate wireless lighting module is configured to detect motion or proximity of an object, and, in response to a detected motion or a detected proximity of the object, transmit a coordinated lighting control signal; and

a power module including;

an alternating current (AC) power input device configured to receive AC power for supplying to an electrical circuit and powering the at least one light source;

a receiver; and

a controller configured to, when the environmental sensor detects the motion;

start a timer;

control application of AC power from the AC power input device to the electrical circuit based on the coordinated lighting control signal, wherein the light source of the disparate wireless lighting module and the at least one light source of the power module illuminate and de-illuminate at substantially the same time; and

at the expiration of the timer, after the motion is no longer detected, control disconnection of AC power from the AC power input device to the electrical circuit to turn off the illumination of the at least one light source at substantially the same time as turning off the illumination of the light source of the disparate wireless lighting module.

18. The coordinated network lighting system of claim 17, wherein the coordinated lighting control signal is wirelessly transmitted to a radio frequency (RF) receiver of the power module.

19. The coordinated network lighting system of claim 18, wherein the light source of the disparate wireless lighting module comprises at least one of a spotlight, a path light, a night light, a ceiling light, and a wall light.