Monitoring connect time and time of operation of a solid state lighting device
First Claim
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1. A warranty method for a solid state lighting system, the method comprising:
- offering a warranty for the solid state lighting system, based on time of system operation, with sale of the solid state lighting system;
following installation of the solid state lighting system, detecting a parameter of system operation and in response accumulating a measurement of total time of system operation from installation;
upon occurrence of a failure of the solid state lighting system, determining whether or not the accumulated measurement of time of system operation meets a warranty eligibility criteria; and
providing a service with respect to the solid state lighting system, offered under the warranty, upon a determination that the accumulated measurement of time of system operation meets the warranty eligibility criteria.
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Abstract
Techniques are disclosed to monitor the time of operation of a solid state lighting system, e.g. for warranty purposes. Examples are disclosed that measure time of system connection to power and/or time of light output from the solid state emitter(s) of the system. A service under the warranty is provided if operation time does not exceed the warranty eligibility criteria, e.g. maximum limit(s). The service provided under the warranty may be pro-rated based on the time of operation.
50 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A warranty method for a solid state lighting system, the method comprising:
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offering a warranty for the solid state lighting system, based on time of system operation, with sale of the solid state lighting system; following installation of the solid state lighting system, detecting a parameter of system operation and in response accumulating a measurement of total time of system operation from installation; upon occurrence of a failure of the solid state lighting system, determining whether or not the accumulated measurement of time of system operation meets a warranty eligibility criteria; and providing a service with respect to the solid state lighting system, offered under the warranty, upon a determination that the accumulated measurement of time of system operation meets the warranty eligibility criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A warranty method for a solid state lighting system, the method comprising:
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offering a warranty for the solid state lighting system, based on time of connection to power and operation time of a solid state emitter of the system, with sale of the solid state lighting system; measuring total time of connection of the solid state lighting system to power; measuring total time of operation of the system to generate light from the solid state emitter; upon occurrence of a failure of the solid state lighting system, determining whether or not at least one of the measured total time of connection and the measured total time of operation satisfy warranty eligibility criteria; and providing a service with respect to the solid state lighting system, offered under the warranty, upon determining that the warranty eligibility criteria are satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of measuring age and operation time of a solid state lighting system, the method comprising steps including:
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installing the solid state lighting system so as to be operatively connected to power; detecting connection of the solid state lighting system to power, and in response, measuring cumulative time of connection to power for the solid state lighting system as a representation of age of the system since time of installation; storing the measured cumulative time of connection to power for the solid state lighting system; monitoring operation of the solid state lighting system to detect whenever at least one solid state light emitter of the system is operating so as to emit light; based on the monitoring of operation, measuring cumulative time of operation of the at least one solid state light emitter of the system; and storing the measured cumulative time of operation of the at least one solid state light emitter of the system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system, comprising:
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a solid state lighting system, comprising; (1) at least one solid state light emitter; and (2) a controller for connection to power, for applying a controlled drive signal to operate the at least one solid state light emitter; and means for; (A) measuring a cumulative time of connection of the controller to power; and (B) determining whenever the at least one solid state light emitter is operative to output light, and in response, measuring a cumulative operation time of light output of the at least one solid state light emitter. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A program product, comprising a machine-readable medium, and executable programming embodied in the medium, wherein execution of the programming by a processor controlling operation of a solid state lighting system will cause the controller to implement steps comprising:
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detecting connection of the solid state lighting system to power, and in response, measuring cumulative time of connection to power for the solid state lighting system as a representation of age of the system since installation of the solid state lighting system; storing the measured cumulative time of connection to power for the solid state lighting system; monitoring operation of the solid state lighting system to detect whenever at least one solid state light emitter of the system is operating so as to emit light; based on the monitoring of operation, measuring cumulative time of operation of the at least one solid state light emitter of the system; and storing the measured cumulative time of operation of the at least one solid state light emitter of the system.
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Specification