SUSTAINABLE OUTDOOR LIGHTING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A light fixture comprising:
- a light source;
an ambient light sensor;
a microcontroller functionally coupled to the light source and the ambient light sensor;
a housing disposed substantially about the light source; and
a support having a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached to a surface;
wherein the ambient light sensor is configured to measure an ambient light intensity;
wherein the microcontroller is programmed to determine if the ambient light intensity is approximately equal to or less than a threshold intensity; and
wherein the light source is configured to emit light having an intensity proportional to the ambient light intensity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light fixture is described that measures the ambient light intensity and determines whether to provide illumination. The light fixture may further determine a traffic status proximate the fixture and adjust the illumination accordingly. A network of light fixtures is also provided, the light fixtures communicating data to each other and determining illumination states therefrom.
32 Citations
79 Claims
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1. A light fixture comprising:
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a light source; an ambient light sensor; a microcontroller functionally coupled to the light source and the ambient light sensor; a housing disposed substantially about the light source; and a support having a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached to a surface; wherein the ambient light sensor is configured to measure an ambient light intensity; wherein the microcontroller is programmed to determine if the ambient light intensity is approximately equal to or less than a threshold intensity; and wherein the light source is configured to emit light having an intensity proportional to the ambient light intensity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 47)
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23. A light fixture comprising:
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a light source comprising a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element, the first light emitting element being configured to emit light having a first wavelength range that corresponds to a substantially scotopic wavelength range and the second light emitting element being configured to emit light having a second wavelength range that corresponds to a substantially photopic wavelength range; an ambient light sensor comprising a photovoltaic device; a traffic sensor having a detection field directed generally toward a street; a communication device a microcontroller functionally coupled to the light source, the ambient light sensor, the traffic sensor, and the communication device; a housing disposed substantially about the light source; and a support having a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached to a surface; wherein the ambient light sensor is configured to measure an ambient light intensity;
wherein the microcontroller includes software configured to determine if the ambient light intensity is approximately equal to or less than a threshold intensity;
wherein the light source is configured to emit light having an intensity proportional to the ambient light intensity;wherein the light source is configured to emit light having a first intensity and a second intensity;
wherein each of the first light emitting element and second light emitting element comprise a cluster of light emitting diodes (LEDs);wherein the photovoltaic device is configured to produce electrical;
wherein the traffic sensor is selected from the group of traffic sensors consisting of optical sensor and acoustic sensor;wherein the traffic sensor is configured to measure a traffic status including at least one of traffic volume, traffic direction, traffic speed, and traffic distance; and wherein the communication device is a communication device selected from the group of communication devices consisting of radio devices, computer network devices, visible light devices, and acoustic devices. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A network of light fixtures comprising:
a plurality of light fixtures comprising; a light source; an ambient light sensor; a communication device; a traffic sensor; a microcontroller functionally coupled to the light source, the ambient light sensor, the communication device, and the traffic sensor; a housing disposed substantially about the light source; and a support structure having a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached to a surface; wherein the ambient light sensor is configured to measure an ambient light intensity;
wherein the microcontroller is programmed to determine if the ambient light intensity is approximately equal to or less than a threshold intensity; and
wherein the light is configured to emit light having an intensity proportional to the ambient light intensity; andwherein the communication device of each of the plurality of light fixtures are configured to transmit data. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of operating a light fixture that includes a light source and an ambient light sensor, comprising the steps of:
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receiving an ambient light measurement from the ambient light sensor; determining if the ambient light measurement is at or below a threshold measurement; and energizing the light source to emit a light responsive to the ambient light measurement; wherein the light source is energized to emit a light that is proportional to the ambient light measurement. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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48. A method of operating a light fixture including a light source, a traffic sensor, and an ambient light sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an ambient light measurement from the ambient light sensor; determining if the light measurement reaches a threshold measurement; receiving a measurement from the traffic sensor indicating a traffic status; and energizing the light source to emit a light that is proportional to at least one of the traffic status and the ambient light measurement. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method of operating a network of light fixtures including at least a first light fixture and a second light fixture, each light fixture including a light source, an ambient light sensor, a traffic sensor, and a communication device, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an ambient light measurement from the ambient light sensor of the first light fixture; determining if the light measurement reaches a threshold measure ent; receiving a measurement from the traffic sensor of the first light fixture indicating a first traffic status; energizing the light source of the first light fixture to a state to emit a light that is proportional to at least one of the first traffic status and the ambient light measurement; transmitting data from the first light fixture to the second light fixture; receiving a measurement from the traffic sensor of the second light fixture indicating a second traffic status; determining a first estimated status by interpreting a combination of the data and the second traffic status; and energizing the light source of the second light fixture to a state to emit a light that is proportional to at least one of the second traffic status, the first estimated status, and the ambient light measurement. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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68. A method of operating a light fixture having a light source and a traffic sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first target measurement from the traffic sensor. determining an approximate first distance from the first target measurement; energizing the light source to a first condition; receiving a second target measurement from the traffic sensor; determining an approximate second distance from the second target measurement; and energizing the light source to a second condition. - View Dependent Claims (69, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79)
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Specification