Lighting including integral communication apparatus

• US 10,571,115 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2018
• Issued: 02/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Inventors: Simon, David L., Ivey, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US16/049,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20180335204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• 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 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0045 by tongue and groove connections, e.g. dovetail interlocking means fixed by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0478 by means of an image recording device, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19636 pertaining to the camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/002 : with occupancy simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 : using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 : by detecting audible sound

Abstract

A light for use in a light fixture includes a light source adapted to produce light in an area including the light and a connector configured for connection to the fixture. The light further includes a communication apparatus configured to generate one or more signals indicative of a presence of a person in the area, and a controller that is operative to control the light source in a normal mode in response to the one or more signals.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

a housing;

one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed within the housing and operable to emanate light from the lighting device;

a connector coupled to the housing and configured for connection to a standard light fixture;

a detection apparatus disposed within or on the housing and configured to capture at least one of a sound or an image in an area of the lighting device;

a communication apparatus disposed within or on the housing and operable to communicate wirelessly with a remote device; and

a controller disposed within or on the housing and operable to;

determine a presence of a person in the area based on at least one of the sound or the image captured by the detection apparatus, and

responsive to determining the presence of the person in the area, transmit, using the communication apparatus, data indicative of at least one of the sound or the image to the remote device.

2. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the detection apparatus comprises a microphone configured to capture the sound in the area, generate one or more audio signals based on the captured sound, and transmit the one or more audio signals to the controller.

3. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the detection apparatus comprises a camera configured to capture the image in the area, generate one or more image signals based on the captured image, and transmit the one or more image signals to the controller.

4. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a memory apparatus configured to store at least one of the sound or the image captured by the detection apparatus.

5. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to:

receive, using the communication apparatus, a command signal from the remote device, and

operate the lighting device in accordance with the command signal.

6. The lighting device of claim 5, wherein operating the lighting device in accordance with the command signal comprises modifying a lighting pattern one of the light of more LEDs according to the command signal.

7. The lighting device of claim 5, wherein operating the lighting device in accordance with the command signal comprises controlling a camera of the detection apparatus according to the command signal.

8. The lighting device of claim 5, wherein the lighting device comprises a speaker, and wherein operating the lighting device in accordance with the command signal comprises outputting audible sound using the speaker according to the command signal.

9. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is operable to communicate wirelessly with the remote device according to a wireless protocol.

10. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the wireless protocol is a radio protocol.

11. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the wireless protocol is a Bluetooth protocol.

12. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the wireless protocol is a cellular protocol.

13. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the standard light fixture is a fluorescent light fixture.

14. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the standard light fixture is an Edison light fixture.