Deriving power for a wireless network component from the power source of a fluorescent light
First Claim
1. A method of deriving power for a device from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:
- electrically connecting a first power coupling to at least a first pin located at a first end of a fluorescent lamp, said first power coupling being electrically connected to a power converter of the device; and
electrically connecting a second power coupling to at least a second pin located at a second end of the fluorescent lamp, said second power coupling also being electrically connected to the power converter of the device such that a circuit is completed between the power converter, the first pin and the second pin, whereby power supplied to the pins by the power source of the fluorescent light will be drawn by the circuit to power the device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for a wireless network component from the power source of a fluorescent light. Power couplings are electrically connected to the pins of a fluorescent lamp and to a power converter of the wireless network component so that a circuit is completed between the pins and the power converter. The power couplings may alternatively be electrically connected to the fluorescent lamp connectors of a fluorescent light fixture and to the power converter of the wireless network component to complete the circuit. Power supplied to fluorescent lamp is drawn by the circuit to power the wireless network component. Alternatively, the ballast of the fluorescent light power source may be modified to include an output line that outputs a voltage for powering the wireless network component to a power port. The power port may be mounted on or near the fluorescent light.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method of deriving power for a device from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:
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electrically connecting a first power coupling to at least a first pin located at a first end of a fluorescent lamp, said first power coupling being electrically connected to a power converter of the device; and
electrically connecting a second power coupling to at least a second pin located at a second end of the fluorescent lamp, said second power coupling also being electrically connected to the power converter of the device such that a circuit is completed between the power converter, the first pin and the second pin, whereby power supplied to the pins by the power source of the fluorescent light will be drawn by the circuit to power the device. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 45, 46)
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2. (Canceled).
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5. (Canceled).
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6. (Canceled).
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13. A power source of a fluorescent light configured for supplying power to an external device, comprising:
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a fluorescent ballast for receiving an input voltage via an input line and converting said input voltage to a lamp voltage suitable for powering a fluorescent lamp;
a first output line electrically connecting the fluorescent ballast to connectors within a light fixture for outputting the lamp voltage to the connectors; and
a second output line electrically connecting the fluorescent ballast to a power port for outputting an external device voltage to the power port, said external device voltage being suitable for powering the external device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 47, 48)
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19. A wireless network component that derives power from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:
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a first power coupling electrically connected to a power converter of the wireless network component and configured for electrically connecting to at least a first pin at a first end of a fluorescent lamp; and
a second power coupling electrically connected to the power converter of the wireless network component and configured for connecting to at least a second pin at a second end of the fluorescent lamp to thereby complete a circuit between the power converter, the first pin and the second pin, whereby power supplied to the pins by the power source of the fluorescent light will be drawn by the circuit to power the wireless network component. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 49, 50)
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20. (Canceled).
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23. (Canceled).
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24. (Canceled).
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29. (Canceled).
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30. (Canceled).
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31. (Canceled)
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32. (Canceled)
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33. (Canceled)
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34. (Canceled)
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35. A method of deriving power for a device from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:
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electrically connecting a first power coupling to at least a first pin of a fluorescent lamp, said first power coupling being electrically connected to a power converter of the device; and
electrically connecting a second power coupling to at least one connector located on a lighting fixture designed to accept a fluorescent lamp, said second power coupling also being electrically connected to the power converter of the device such that a circuit is completed between the power converter, the first pin and the connector located on the lighting fixture, whereby power supplied by the power source of the fluorescent light will be drawn by the circuit to power the device. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. A method of deriving power for a device from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:
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mounting the device to a surface located in proximity to a fluorescent light fixture;
electrically connecting a power converter of the device to a first point within a circuit that supplies power from the power source to a fluorescent lamp; and
electrically connecting a the power converter to a second point within the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp such that a second circuit is completed between the power converter, the first point and the second point, whereby power supplied to the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp will be drawn by the second circuit to power the device. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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51. A wireless network component that derives power from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:
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mounting means for mounting the network component to a surface in proximity to a fluorescent lamp;
a first power coupling electrically connected to a power converter of the wireless network component and configured for electrically connecting to a first point within a circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp; and
a second power coupling electrically connected to the power converter of the wireless network component and configured for connecting to a second point within the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp such that a second circuit is completed between the power converter, the first point and the second point, whereby power supplied to the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp will be drawn by the second circuit to power the device. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
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Specification