SMART LIGHTING SYSTEM

• US 20160120007A1
• Filed: 10/23/2014
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vivint Incorporated (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rein, Harry
• Granted Patent: US 10,206,264 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

According to at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to illuminate a room is described. At least one person entering the room may be identified. The room may be illuminated based at least in part on the identifying. An occupancy count for the room may be maintained based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room. The room may be darkened based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching a pre-determined count.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method to illuminate a room, comprising:

identifying at least one person entering the room;

illuminating the room based at least in part on the identifying;

maintaining an occupancy count for the room based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room; and

darkening the room based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching a pre-determined count.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein darkening the room comprises dimming an illumination in the room.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the room is an at least partially confined room.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

partially illuminating the room based at least in part on a time of day.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the room is a bedroom and further comprising:

observing when the at least one person occupies a bed;

darkening the bedroom based at least in part on the observing.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein a load sensor detects the presence of the at least one person in the bed occupying the bed.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one or more lasers detects directional motion of the at least one person.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the one or more lasers are proximate to at least one entry to the room.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the one or more lasers are proximate each entry to the room.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving input to darken the room despite the occupancy count being greater than the predetermined count.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

tracking a pattern of room occupancy for the room;

predicting when to illuminate the room based at least in part on the tracking, and

illuminating the room based at least in part on the predicting.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:

darkening the room if the at least one person does not enter the room within a predetermined time frame.

13. An apparatus to illuminate a room comprising:

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

identify at least one person entering the room;

illuminate the room based at least in part on the identifying;

maintain an occupancy count for the room based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room; and

darken the room based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching a pre-determined count.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein darkening the room comprises dimming an illumination in the room.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

partially illuminate the room based at least in part on a time of day.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

track a pattern of room occupancy for the room;

predict when to illuminate the room based at least in part on the tracking, and

illuminate the room based at least in part on the predicting.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor to:

identify at least one person entering a room;

illuminate the room based at least in part on the identifying;

maintain an occupancy count for the room based at least in part on the illuminating, wherein the occupancy count comprises a number of one or more people present in the room; and

darken the room based at least in part on the occupancy count for the room reaching a pre-determined count.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

partially illuminate the room based at least in part on a time of day.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

track a pattern of room occupancy for the room;

predict when to illuminate the room based at least in part on the tracking, and

illuminate the room based at least in part on the predicting.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

darken the room if the at least one person does not enter the room within a predetermined time frame.