Lighting device and apparatus with multiple applications for processing a common sensed condition

• US 10,089,838 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2015
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramer, David P., Rains, Jr., Jack C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Foxx, Chico A
• Application Number:
  US14/702,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20150235528A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A lighting device or an apparatus for use with a light source has one or more sensors, intelligence in the form of programmed processors and communication capabilities. Each sensor is configured to monitor one or more conditions external to a lighting device not directly related to operational performance of the respective lighting device. Programming provides a standardized interface to enable processing of sensed conditions from sensors of different types.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a light source, the apparatus comprising:

a first sensor coupling configured to present;

a first standardized sensor connection interlace, the first standardized sensor connection interface being compatible with a first sensor;

second sensor coupling configured to present a second standardized sensor connection interface, the second standardized sensor interface being compatible with a second sensor;

wherein the first sensor is configured to sense a first external condition among a plurality of external conditions in a first location around a fixture containing the light source, wherein first external condition is not directly related to operation or control of the light source, the first sensor being configured to output a first signal responsive to the first sensed external condition via the first standardized sensor connection interface of the first sensor coupling;

wherein the second sensor is configured to sense a second external condition among the plurality of external conditions in a second location around the fixture containing the light source, wherein the second location is different from the first location, wherein the second external condition is not directly related to operation or control of the light source, the second sensor being configured to output a second signal responsive to the second sensed external condition via the second standardized sensor connection interface of the second sensor coupling;

a processor coupled to the first sensor coupling and the second sensor coupling;

a communication interface accessible by the processor;

a memory accessible to the processor; and

programming stored in the memory, wherein execution of the programming by the processor configures the processor to implement functions, including functions to;

receive, in a standardized signal format, the first signal from the first sensor and the second signal from the second sensor;

deliver, in a standardized data format and based at least in part on the first signal and in part on the second signal, first data, representing the first external condition sensed by the first sensor and the second external condition sensed by the second sensor to a First application program;

deliver, in the standardized data format and based at least in part on the first signal and in part on the second signal, second data representing the first external condition sensed by the first sensor and the second external condition sensed by the second sensor to a second application program;

enable processing of the first data representing the first sensed external condition and the second sensed external condition by the processor on behalf of the first application program;

enable processing of the second data representing the first sensed external condition and the second sensed external condition by the processor on behalf of the second application program;

communicate, in a standardized communications format enabled by the programming and to a first destination, first information resulting from processing of the first data representing the first sensed external condition and die second sensed external condition; and

communicate, in the standardized communications format enabled by the programming and to a second destination, second information resulting from processing of die second data representing the first sensed external condition and the second sensed external condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first external condition is same as the second external condition.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first external condition is different than the second external condition.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function to communicate the first information and the function to communicate the second information both utilize the communication interface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second communication interface, wherein:

the function to communicate the first information utilizes the communication interface; and

the function to communicate the second information utilizes the second communication interface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a local wireless transceiver coupled to the second communication interface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a module housing containing at least the processor, memory and communication interface,

wherein the housing is configured for mounting together with a fixture containing the light source.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an output driver, coupled for control by the processor, configured to drive an information output device coupled to the apparatus,

wherein fort her execution of the programming by the processor further configures the processor to implement functions, including functions to;

receive, from a network via the communication interface and in the standardized communication format enabled by the programming, information for local output; and

operate the at least one output driver to cause the information output device to reproduce the received information.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor coupling is compatible with analog and digital signals.

8. The apparatus of 1, wherein the processor also is coupled to control the light source.