Variable output single constant source light fixture

• US 20020105285A1
• Filed: 12/01/2000
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James F. Loughrey
• Original Assignee: James F. Loughrey
• Inventors: Loughrey, James F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,960,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/291
• 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: F21Y 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A light fixture having a variable light output level using one constant voltage power source includes multiple individually computer controllable light sources. Multiple light fixtures may be networked and individually controlled. Additional accessory control devices, such as motion sensors, photo sensors, and time clocks, may be connected with the light fixture and networked.

Claims

1. A light fixture comprising:

a plurality of light source sockets; and

a light control connected to said plurality of light source sockets, wherein said light control is adapted to receive power from a single power source and is arranged to individually control each one of said plurality of light source sockets by controlling the power provided to each of said individual light source sockets.

2. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of light sources mounted in said plurality of light source sockets;

wherein said light sources comprise at least one of compact fluorescent bulbs, self ballasted fluorescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs, arc tubes, metal halide bulbs, mercury bulbs, low pressure sodium bulbs, high pressure sodium bulbs, luminescent panels, and light emitting diodes.

3. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light control comprises a computer.

4. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light control comprises at least a processor.

5. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light control is networkable.

6. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of light source sockets is two or more light source sockets.

7. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of light source sockets is 256 light source sockets.

8. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light control is adapted to control the single feed power provided to each one of said plurality of light source sockets by turning on and off individually each one of said plurality of light source sockets.

9. The fixture as claimed in claim 5, wherein said light control is adapted to send and receive signals.

10. The fixture as claimed in claim 9, wherein said sent and received signals comprise at least one of control and status signals.

11. The fixture as claimed in claim 9, wherein said received signals comprise commands to control said light control.

12. The fixture as claimed in claim 9, wherein said sent signals comprise commands to control another light control.

13. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light fixture is a single connectable replacement for an existing light source.

14. The fixture as claimed in claim 13, wherein said light fixture comprises a single screw-in replacement element.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said light control comprises a computer.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said light control comprises at least a processor.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said light control is networkable.

19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said plurality of light source sockets is two or more light source sockets.

20. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said plurality of light source sockets is 256 light source sockets.

21. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said step of individually activating or deactivating comprises individually turning on and off one or more of said plurality of light source sockets.

22. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said received signal is received from a network.

23. The method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising the step of sending a signal indicative of the status of said light fixture.

24. The method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising the step of sending a signal indicative of the status of said plurality of light source sockets.

15. A method of modifying a light output level of a light fixture having a plurality of light source sockets, light sources connected to said light source sockets and a light control connected to each of said plurality of light source sockets for controlling individually each one of said plurality of light source sockets, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal to modify said light output level of said light fixture; and

individually activating or deactivating one or more of said plurality of light source sockets in response to said received signal to modify said light output level of said light fixture.