LED lighting system

• US 20120217882A1
• Filed: 02/28/2011
• Published: 08/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: An-Kwok Ian Wong, Belinda H.T. Wong, Chon Meng Wong
• Original Assignee: An-Kwok Ian Wong, Belinda H.T. Wong, Chon Meng Wong
• Inventors: Wong, Chon Meng, Wong, An-Kwok Ian, Wong, Belinda H.T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,912,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/185.R
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/03 of surface-mounted type F21S8/02, F21S8/04 take precedence; details of wall or floor bases F21V21/02
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/08 the elements being filters or photoluminescent elements and reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/04 by movement of reflectors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/675
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/10 characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening F21V17/02 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/02 with provision for adjustment, e.g. for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0464 the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/402 for working places
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 : Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 : by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 : by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 : via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/82 : Energy audits or management systems therefor

Abstract

A lighting system includes at least one lighting apparatus having a light emitting element capable of emitting a controllably variable light output in a region. A position determination subsystem is capable of determining a position in three dimensions of at least one mobile entity within the region. A control subsystem is capable of variably controlling a light output of the at least one lighting apparatus according to the position of the mobile entity. The system may determine position by radio ranging with mobile electronic elements. The system may include multiple lighting elements and may determine light levels according to positions of multiple mobile entities. The system may include a database of information about lighting elements, mobile entities, and lighting plans that may be selected from mobile electronic elements.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

(A) at least one lighting apparatus having a light emitting element capable of emitting a controllably variable light output in a region;

(B) a position determination subsystem capable of determining a position in three dimensions of at least one mobile entity within the region; and

(C) a control subsystem capable of variably controlling a light output of the at least one lighting apparatus according to the position of the mobile entity.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein:

(A) the system includes a plurality of lighting apparatus, each having a light emitting element capable of producing a controllably variable light output; and

(B) the control subsystem is capable of controlling each lighting apparatus to a variably distinct light output according to the position of a mobile entity.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein:

(A) the position determination subsystem is capable of determining positions in three dimensions of a each of a plurality of mobile entities; and

(B) the control subsystem is capable of variably controlling the lighting apparatus output according to the positions of a plurality of mobile entities.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein

(A) the system includes a plurality of lighting apparatus, each having a light emitting element capable of producing a controllably variable light output;

(B) the position determination subsystem is capable of determining positions in three dimensions of a each of a plurality of mobile entities.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein the control subsystem is capable of controlling each lighting apparatus to a distinct light output according to positions of a plurality of mobile entities.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein the position determination subsystem includes at least one mobile electronic element actively engaged with at least one fixed element to determine the position of the mobile entity.

7. A system as in claim 6 wherein the position determination subsystem determines position of the mobile entity at least in part by radio ranging between at least one fixed element and the mobile electronic element.

8. A system as in claim 6 wherein the position determination subsystem includes at least three electronic elements each determining a range to the mobile electronic element.

9. A system as in claim 6 wherein a first mobile electronic unit engages in determining a range to a second mobile electronic element.

10. A system as in claim 6 wherein at least one fixed element is co-located with at least one lighting apparatus.

11. A system as in claim 6 where the control subsystem controls the light output of a lighting apparatus according to an input received from a mobile electronic element.

12. A system as in claim 11 wherein an input from a mobile electronic element includes a measure of light level at the mobile electronic element.

13. A system as in claim 11 wherein an input from a mobile electronic element includes a selection from an interface to a human.

14. A system as in claim 4 further comprising a database storing information about lighting fixtures, said lighting-fixture information including information selected from the set of:

(A) a lighting fixture identity;

(B) a lighting fixture location; and

(C) a lighting fixture power level.

15. A system as in claim 4 further comprising a database storing information about mobile entities, said mobile-entity information including information selected from the set of:

(A) a mobile entity identity;

(B) a mobile entity position; and

(C) a mobile entity lighting plan input.

16. A system as in claim 1 further including a computer communicating with the at least one lighting fixture through a power line.

17. A system as in claim 1 wherein the position determination subsystem determines proximity of one mobile entity to another mobile entity.

18. A system as in claim 1 wherein the position determination subsystem determines position by radio ranging and triangulation.

19. A lighting fixture comprising:

(A) at least two series chains of light emitting diodes,

(B) at least one controller circuit that produces an output power to the light emitting diodes that varies according to (i) a lighting plan and (ii) a thermally conductive trace.

(C) a ranging circuit that determines a range to a mobile entity;

(D) an access point to a network;

(F) at least one electrical connector that allows interconnection of thermally conductive traces from a second lighting fixture;

(G) a mounting bracket selected form the set of (i) a corner bracket, (ii) a hanging bracket, (iii) and a ceiling mounted bracket;

(G) a rotating access block; and

(H) a tilting reflector.

20. A mobile electronic unit for use in a lighting system, said mobile electronic unit comprising:

(A) a ranging circuit capable of engaging with at least one other element to determine the position of the mobile electronic unit;

(B) an interface through which a human may provide an input useful for setting a lighting level; and

(C) a light sensor measuring a light level.