METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FAILURE DETECTION IN LIGHTING SYSTEMS

• US 20090316147A1
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hamilton, Rick A. II, O'Connell, Brian M., Pickover, Clifford A., Walker, Keith R., Moskowitz, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,274,649 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/306
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0488 with spectral filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/4242 Modulated light, e.g. for synchronizing source and detector circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/4247 for testing lamps or other light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/25 Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands

Abstract

A method and apparatus for continuous monitoring of a light bulb or group of light bulbs. The light emission of a light bulb is compared with known emission failure values for similar types of light bulbs, and a determination of a near failure status for the bulb is made.

Claims

1. A method for predicting a light source failure, comprising:

receiving a light emission from a light source;

separating the light emission into a light spectrum having separate spectral components;

determining an intensity of the light spectrum;

determining a light bulb type of the light source;

comparing the intensity of the light spectrum with an intensity value of a failed light source having the same bulb type as the light source; and

providing an indication of failure when the intensity of the light spectrum is within a threshold value of the intensity value of the failed light source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light emission is received from one of a group consisting of an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent bulb, and light-emitting diode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the light emission is separated using one of a group consisting of a diffraction grating, a prism, and a filter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the light spectrum is compared with a known failure intensity provided by a bulb manufacturer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the light spectrum is compared with a stored intensity value of a previously failed light bulb.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the light spectrum is compared with an average intensity value of a plurality of previously failed light bulbs.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the light emission is received at a hand-held device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of failure is provided on a hand-held device.

9. An apparatus for predicting a light source failure, comprising:

a light socket;

a failure detection circuit electrically coupled to the light socket, the failure detection circuit having a sensor and at least one failure indicator;

a memory storing a plurality of intensity failure values for a plurality of light bulb types; and

a processor for comparing a light intensity value measured by the sensor with an intensity failure value, the processor further activating the at least one failure indicator.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one failure indicator is an audible indicator.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one failure indicator is a visible indicator.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a wireless communication means for receiving or transmitting data from a remote location.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to block electrical flow from the light socket to a light bulb.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the failure detection circuit is encased within a housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the failure detection circuit is powered by one of a group consisting of a battery and a solar cell.

17. A self-failure predicting light bulb, comprising:

a base;

a lamp bulb electrically coupled to the base;

a housing electrically coupled to the base;

an optical sensor placed adjacent to the housing and configured to measure an intensity of light from the lamp bulb;

a failure indicator placed adjacent to the housing for providing an indication of failure; and

a failure detection circuit placed within the housing, the failure detection circuit having a processor and a memory,

the memory configured to store an intensity failure value,

the processor for comparing a light intensity value measured by the sensor with an intensity failure value, the processor further activating the at least one failure indicator.

18. The self-failure predicting light bulb of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to blink the lamp when the light intensity value is within a threshold value of the intensity failure value.

19. The self-failure predicting light bulb of claim 18, wherein the threshold value is a percentage of the intensity failure value.

20. The self-failure predicting light bulb of claim 17, wherein the at least one failure indicator is configured to emit an audible indication selected from a group consisting of a monotone signal, a chirping sound, a recorded voice alert, and a musical tone.