Light Socket WiFi Device
First Claim
1. A device, comprising:
- a light socket attachment that mates with a light socket receptacle of a lighting device when the light socket attachment is removably coupled to the lighting device;
a communications system comprising a non-wired communications device;
a light bulb receptacle configured to receive a light bulb; and
circuitry that receives electric power through the light socket attachment, the circuitry directing a specified amount of power from the received electric power to the communications system while directing remaining power of the received electric power to the light bulb receptacle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless radio functionality in a home or building. In some embodiments, a device may comprise a light socket attachment configured to be inserted into a corresponding light socket, a communications system comprising a non-wired communications device (e.g., a wireless radio, a LiFi device, etc.), a light bulb receptacle configured to receive a light bulb, and/or circuitry configured to receive electric power through the light socket attachment, to direct a specified current to the communications system, and to direct remaining current to the light bulb receptacle. In an additional aspect, the device might be configured to implement a two-terminal or a three-terminal power connection light socket to power the communications system. In some cases, Power-Line Communications (“PLC”) may be used to transmit data over the three-terminal power connection to and from the communications system.
30 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A device, comprising:
-
a light socket attachment that mates with a light socket receptacle of a lighting device when the light socket attachment is removably coupled to the lighting device; a communications system comprising a non-wired communications device; a light bulb receptacle configured to receive a light bulb; and circuitry that receives electric power through the light socket attachment, the circuitry directing a specified amount of power from the received electric power to the communications system while directing remaining power of the received electric power to the light bulb receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method, comprising:
-
providing a device comprising a light socket attachment that mates with a light socket receptacle of a lighting device when the light socket attachment is removably coupled to the lighting device, a communications system comprising a non-wired communications device, a light bulb receptacle that receives a light bulb, and circuitry that receives electric power through the light socket attachment, the circuitry directing a specified amount of power from the received electric power to the communications system while directing remaining power of the received electric power to the light bulb receptacle; inserting the light socket attachment of the device into the light socket receptacle; and inserting the light bulb into the light bulb receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for providing electric power to a device, the method comprising:
-
providing a device comprising a light socket attachment that mates with a light socket receptacle of a lighting device when the light socket attachment is removably coupled to the lighting device, a communications system comprising a processor and a non-wired communications device, a light bulb receptacle that receives a light bulb, and circuitry that receives electric power through the light socket attachment, the circuitry directing a specified amount of power from the received electric power to the communications system while directing remaining power of the received electric power to the light bulb receptacle; inserting the light socket attachment of the device into the light socket receptacle; inserting the light bulb into the light bulb receptacle; directing electric power from the light socket receptacle to the light socket attachment; determining, with the processor of the communications system, the specified amount of power to be directed to the communications system; directing, with the processor of the communications system, the determined specified amount of power to the communications system through the circuitry; and directing, with the processor of the communications system, the remaining power to the light socket receptacle of the device through the circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification