Smart lighting system

• US 10,206,264 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2014
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rein, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US14/522,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20160120007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: 315158, 315291, 315307, 315294, 315153, 250205, 362276
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to illuminate a room is described. At least one person entering the room may be identified. The room may be illuminated based at least in part on the identifying. An occupancy count for the room may be maintained based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room. The room may be darkened based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching a pre-determined count.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method to illuminate a room, comprising:

detecting, by an automation system, at least one person entering the room;

tracking, by the automation system, a pattern of room occupancy for the room based at least in part on the detecting;

predicting, by the automation system, when to illuminate the room based at least in part on the tracking;

illuminating, by the automation system, the room based at least in part on the predicting;

maintaining, by the automation system, an occupancy count for the room based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room;

receiving, by the automation system, appliance data from an appliance monitor indicating that the at least one person has activated an appliance;

receiving, by the automation system, visual data indicating one or more activities occurring in the room from a camera of the automation system positioned in the room;

identifying, by the automation system, an interaction between the at least one person and the appliance based at least in part on the appliance data and the visual data;

determining, by the automation system, a darkening time period for an overhead light, a floor light, a lamp, or a combination thereof based on the identified interaction; and

darkening, by the automation system, the overhead light, the floor light, the lamp, or the combination thereof in the room and after expiration of the determined darkening time period, while the at least one person is in the room based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room satisfying a pre-determined count and the identified interaction with the appliance.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the overhead light, the floor light, and the lamp darkened by the automation system based at least in part on the identified interaction with the appliance are not part of the appliance.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the room is an at least partially confined room.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

partially illuminating the room based at least in part on a time of day.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the room is a bedroom and further comprising:

observing when the at least one person occupies a bed;

darkening the bedroom based at least in part on the observing.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein a load sensor detects the presence of the at least one person in the bed occupying the bed.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more lasers detects directional motion of the at least one person.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the one or more lasers are proximate to at least one entry to the room.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the one or more lasers are proximate each entry to the room.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving input to darken the room despite the occupancy count being greater than the predetermined count.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

predicting, by the automation system, a schedule for the at least one person that includes a predicted time of day the at least one person will enter the room based at least in part on the tracking, wherein predicting when to illuminate the room is based at least in part on predicting the schedule for the at least one person; and

illuminating, by the automation system, the room at the predicted time of day indicated in the schedule of the at least one person based at least in part on the predicting.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

darkening the room if the at least one person does not enter the room within a predetermined time frame.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the automation system gradually increases the illumination of the lighting when illuminating the room at the predicted time of day being in the morning.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

initiating, by the automation system, a schedule for illuminating and darkening the room while the at least one person is away from a building associated with the room; and

programming lights in the room to illuminate and darken based at least in part on the at least one person'"'"'s activities when the at least in one person is present in the building, wherein adjusting the illumination of the room is based at least in part on programming the lights based at least in part on the at least on person'"'"'s activities.

15. An automation system to illuminate a room comprising:

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

detect at least one person entering the room;

track a pattern of room occupancy for the room based at least in part on the detecting;

predict when to illuminate the room based at least in part on the tracking;

illuminate the room based at least in part on the detecting;

maintain an occupancy count for the room based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room;

receive appliance data from an appliance monitor indicating that the at least one person has activated an appliance;

receive visual data indicating one or more activities occurring in the room from a camera of the automation system positioned in the room;

identify an interaction between the at least one person and the appliance based at least in part on the appliance data and the visual data;

determine a darkening time period for an overhead light, a floor light, a lamp, or a combination thereof based on the identified interaction; and

darken the overhead light, the floor light, the lamp, or the combination thereof in the room and after expiration of the determined darkening time period, while the at least one person is in the room based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room satisfying a pre-determined count and the identified interaction with the appliance.

16. The automation system of claim 15, wherein adjusting the illumination of the room comprises dimming an illumination in the room.

17. The automation system of claim 15, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

partially illuminate the room based at least in part on a time of day.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor to:

detect, by an automation system, at least one person entering a room;

track a pattern of room occupancy for the room based at least in part on the detecting;

predict, by the automation system, when to illuminate the room based at least in part on the tracking;

illuminate, by the automation system, the room based at least in part on the detecting;

maintain, by the automation system, an occupancy count for the room based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room;

receive, by the automation system, appliance data from an appliance monitor indicating that the at least one person has activated an appliance;

receive, by the automation system, visual data indicating one or more activities occurring in the room from a camera of the automation system positioned in the room;

identify, by the automation system, an interaction between the at least one person and the appliance based at least in part on the appliance data and the visual data;

determine, by the automation system, a darkening time period for an overhead light, a floor light, a lamp, or a combination thereof based on the identified interaction; and

darken, by the automation system, the overhead light, the floor light, the lamp, or the combination thereof in the room and after expiration of the determined darkening time period, while the at least one person is in the room based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room satisfying a pre-determined count and the identified interaction with the appliance.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

partially illuminate the room based at least in part on a time of day.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

darken the room if the at least one person does not enter the room within a predetermined time frame.