Lighting element-centric network of networks
First Claim
1. A lighting system, comprising:
- a data network configured to enable data communication within a premises and to provide data communication access to a wide area network extending outside the premises; and
intelligent lighting system elements, including;
lighting devices each comprising a light source, andeither a user interface device configured for lighting control or a lighting-related sensor including a detector,each of the intelligent lighting system elements comprising;
a communication interface system, including a first communication interface, configured to enable communication via a link to the data network; and
a processor coupled to communicate via the communication interface and the data network link and configured to control a lighting related operation of the respective intelligent system element, wherein for each respective one of a plurality of the intelligent lighting system elements, including for at least two of the lighting devices;
the communication interface system of the respective intelligent lighting system element includes a second communication interface configured to provide a small cell of wireless coverage via a short range, low power wireless data communication link, separate from the link to the data network, for use by non-lighting-system devices at the premises in range of the low power wireless data communication link of the respective intelligent lighting system element;
the low power of the wireless data communication link of the small cell is set sufficiently low so as to avoid undue interference with the short range wireless data communication link of the small cell, provided by another of the intelligent lighting system elements among the plurality of the intelligent lighting system elements, for use by non-lighting-system devices; and
the processor of the respective intelligent lighting system element is configured to control communications via the communication interface system of the respective intelligent lighting system element to provide access to the data network and through the data network to the wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the non-lighting-system devices.
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Abstract
A lighting system utilizes intelligent system elements, such as lighting devices, user interfaces for lighting control or the like and possibly sensors. The system also has a data communication network. Some number of the intelligent lighting system elements, including at least two of the lighting devices, also support wireless communication with non-lighting-system devices at the premises. Each such element has a communication interface system configured to provide a short range, low power wireless data communication link for use by non-lighting-system devices at the premises in proximity to the respective intelligent system element. Also, in such an element, the processor is configured to control communications via the communication interface system so as to provide access to the data network and through the data network to the wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the non-lighting-system devices.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A lighting system, comprising:
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a data network configured to enable data communication within a premises and to provide data communication access to a wide area network extending outside the premises; and intelligent lighting system elements, including; lighting devices each comprising a light source, and either a user interface device configured for lighting control or a lighting-related sensor including a detector, each of the intelligent lighting system elements comprising; a communication interface system, including a first communication interface, configured to enable communication via a link to the data network; and a processor coupled to communicate via the communication interface and the data network link and configured to control a lighting related operation of the respective intelligent system element, wherein for each respective one of a plurality of the intelligent lighting system elements, including for at least two of the lighting devices; the communication interface system of the respective intelligent lighting system element includes a second communication interface configured to provide a small cell of wireless coverage via a short range, low power wireless data communication link, separate from the link to the data network, for use by non-lighting-system devices at the premises in range of the low power wireless data communication link of the respective intelligent lighting system element; the low power of the wireless data communication link of the small cell is set sufficiently low so as to avoid undue interference with the short range wireless data communication link of the small cell, provided by another of the intelligent lighting system elements among the plurality of the intelligent lighting system elements, for use by non-lighting-system devices; and the processor of the respective intelligent lighting system element is configured to control communications via the communication interface system of the respective intelligent lighting system element to provide access to the data network and through the data network to the wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the non-lighting-system devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A lighting device, comprising:
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a first communication interface configured to enable communication via a link to a data network of a lighting system at a premises served by the lighting system; a second communication interface configured to provide a small cell of wireless coverage via a short range, low power wireless data communication link, separate from the link to the data network, for use by a non-lighting-system device at the premises in range of the low power wireless data communication link of the lighting device; and a processor configured to control communications via the communication interfaces to provide wireless access to the data network and to provide access through the data network to a wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the non-lighting-system device using the low power of the wireless data communication link of the small cell; wherein the low power of the wireless data communication link of the small cell is set sufficiently low so as to avoid undue interference with a short range wireless data communication link of a small cell provided by another lighting system element for use by non-lighting-system devices. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An intelligent system element for operation in a lighting system, the intelligent system element comprising:
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a lighting related component; a first communication interface configured to enable communication via a link to a data network of the lighting system at a premises served by the lighting system; a second communication interface configured to provide a small cell of wireless coverage via a short range, low power wireless data communication link, separate from the link to the data network, for use by a non-lighting-system device at the premises in range of the low power wireless data communication link of the intelligent system element; and a processor coupled to and configured to; control the lighting related component to implement at least one lighting related function for the system and coupled to the communication interfaces, and control communications via the communication interfaces to provide access to the data network of the lighting system and through the data network of the lighting system to a wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the non-lighting-system device using the low power of the wireless data communication link of the small cell; wherein the low power of the wireless data communication link of the small cell is set sufficiently low so as to avoid undue interference with a short range wireless data communication link of a small cell provided by another lighting system element for use by non-lighting-system devices. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification