INTEGRATION OF LED LIGHTING CONTROL WITH EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS

• US 20100102960A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Altair Engineering Incorporated
• Inventors: Ivey, John, Simon, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,653,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• 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 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/065 for lighting purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

An emergency lighting system for a building includes at least one LED-based light. An emergency detector is operable to detect an emergency. The emergency detector produces an emergency signal in response to the emergency. A controller is operable to control the at least one LED-based light in response to the emergency signal.

Claims

1. An emergency lighting system for a building comprising:

at least one LED-based light;

an emergency detector operable to detect an emergency and produce an emergency signal in response to the emergency; and

a controller operable to control the at least one LED-based light in response to the emergency signal.

2. The emergency lighting system of claim 1, wherein the LED-based light, controller, and emergency detector are contained in a single package.

3. The emergency lighting system of claim 2, wherein the single package is sized for compatibility with a standard fixture.

4. The emergency lighting system of claim 2, wherein the single package includes a pair of bi-pin connectors, one at each longitudinal end of the package, for compatibility with a fluorescent fixture.

5. The emergency lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED-based light includes multiple LED-based lights for installation in separate fixtures, and wherein the emergency detector is operable to transmit the emergency signal to the multiple LED-based lights.

6. The emergency lighting system of claim 5, wherein the emergency detector is operable to wirelessly transmit the emergency signal to the multiple LED-based lights.

7. The emergency lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED-based light is shaped as a fluorescent tube for compatibility with a fluorescent fixture.

8. The emergency lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to control the at least one LED-based light in a normal mode and an emergency mode.

9. The emergency lighting system of claim 8, wherein the at least one LED-based light produces a different color of light in the emergency mode compared to the normal mode.

10. The emergency lighting system of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to vary a brightness of the at least one LED-based light to produce a pattern of light indicating a direction toward or away from an emergency location when operating in the emergency mode.

11. The emergency lighting system of claim 10, wherein one of the at least one LED-based lights includes a first LED and a second LED, and wherein the pattern of light includes operating the first LED at a different brightness than the second LED.

12. The emergency lighting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one LED-based light includes a first LED-based light and a second LED-based light, and wherein the pattern includes operating the first LED-based light at a different brightness than the second LED-based light.

13. The emergency lighting system of claim 1, wherein the emergency detector is operable to detect the emergency signal in response to activation of at least one of a burglar alarm, a fire alarm, a smoke detector, and a telephone line signal.

14. The emergency lighting system of claim 1, wherein the emergency detector is operable to monitor a power source, and wherein the controller is operable to limit an amount of power provided to the at least one LED-based light in response to a low power signal.

15. An LED-based light for use in an emergency lighting system including an emergency detector operable to output an emergency signal, the LED-based light comprising:

at least one LED; and

a controller configured to operate the at least one LED in a normal mode and an emergency mode in response to the emergency signal.

16. The LED-based light of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to vary a brightness of the at least one LED when operating in the emergency mode.

17. The LED-based light of claim 15, wherein the LED-based light includes the emergency detector.

18. The LED-based light of claim 17, wherein the emergency detector is further operable to transmit an alarm notification to a response center.

19. The LED-based light of claim 15, further comprising standard sized electrical connectors for compatibility with a standard fixture.

20. An LED-based light for replacing a fluorescent tube in a fixture comprising:

a housing including a light transmitting portion;

a circuit board extending longitudinally within the housing;

multiple LEDs mounted on the circuit board and oriented to produce light through the light transmitting portion of the housing;

an emergency detector operable to output an emergency signal in response to an emergency;

a controller operable to control the at least one LED in a normal mode and an emergency mode in response to the emergency signal; and

a pair of standard sized electrical connectors, one at each longitudinal end of the housing, wherein the LEDs, emergency detector, and controller are each electrically coupled to at least one of the electrical connectors.