LED lighting device with communications module and antenna

• US 10,405,406 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting, LLC (Ideal Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Liszt, Kory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US15/190,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20170374724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/235 Details of bases or caps, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within bases or caps F21K9/238 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/238 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/001 the elements being electrical wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/009 the casing being inside the housing of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/045 the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/24 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/486 adapted for surface mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/502 Wavelength conversion materials
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission

Abstract

A LED lighting device includes LEDs operable to emit light when powered through an electrical path. The LED lighting device includes a housing and a communications module for wireless communication to and from the LED lighting device. An antenna for receives and transmits a wireless signal where the antenna comprises a slot in the housing. A power supply in the electrical path for providing power to the LEDs may be retained in the housing. The communications module may be retained in the housing with the power supply. The housing may form part of the LED lighting device structure such as a reflector surface.

Claims

1. A LED lighting device comprising:

at least one LED operable to emit light for general illumination when powered through an electrical path;

a driver module in the electrical path for providing power to the at least one LED;

an electronics housing retaining the driver module;

a communications module for enabling wireless communication to and/or from the LED lighting device, wherein the communications module is retained in the electronics housing;

an antenna operatively coupled to the communications module for receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal, the antenna comprising a slot in the electronics housing.

2. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing forms part of a reflector surface.

3. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the antenna is a cavity-backed antenna.

4. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the slot comprises a linear slot.

5. The LED lighting device of claim 4 wherein the linear slot has a length significantly greater than its width.

6. The LED lighting device of claim 1 further comprising an external heat sink.

7. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the slot comprises a plurality of slots.

8. The LED lighting device of claim 7 wherein a voltage source is applied across each of the plurality of slots to induce an E-field distribution within each of the plurality of slots.

9. The LED lighting device of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing is separately mounted to the lighting device.

10. The LED lighting device of claim 1 further comprising a support structure for securing the lighting device to a structure.

11. A LED lighting device comprising:

at least one LED operable to emit light when powered through an electrical path;

a reflector positioned to reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one LED;

lamp electronics in the electrical path for providing power to the at least one LED;

a housing;

a communications module for enabling wireless communication to and from the LED lighting device;

an antenna operatively coupled to the communications module for receiving and transmitting a wireless signal, the antenna comprising a slot in the reflector.

12. The LED lighting device of claim 11 wherein the lamp electronics are retained in the housing.

13. The LED lighting device of claim 11 wherein the housing forms part of a lamp housing.

14. The LED lighting device of claim 11 wherein the communications module is retained in the housing.

15. The LED lighting device of claim 11 wherein the reflector comprises a first portion that forms part of the antenna and a second portion that does not form part of the antenna.

16. The LED lighting device of claim 15 wherein the first portion is visually indistinguishable from the second portion.

17. The LED lighting device of claim 11 wherein the antenna is a cavity-backed antenna.

18. The LED lighting device of claim 11 wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of slots.

19. The LED lighting device of claim 11 wherein a voltage source is applied across the slot to induce an E-field distribution within the slot.

20. A LED lighting device comprising:

at least one LED operable to emit light for general illumination when powered through an electrical path;

lamp electronics in the electrical path for providing power to the at least one LED;

a housing for retaining the lamp electronics;

a communications module for enabling wireless communication to and/or from the LED lighting device;

an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal, the antenna comprising a slot in the housing;

electrical conductors in the electrical path extending from the housing for connecting the LED lighting device to a permanent source of power.

21. A LED lighting device comprising:

at least one LED operable to emit light for general illumination when powered through an electrical path;

a driver module in the electrical path for providing power to the at least one LED;

an electronics housing for retaining the driver module;

a communications module for enabling wireless communication to and/or from the LED lighting device;

an antenna for receiving and transmitting a wireless signal, the antenna comprising a slot in the electronics housing;

an electrical connector in the electrical path configured to be received in an electrical socket for delivering current to the driver module.