Deriving power for an external device from a fluorescent light power source

• US 7,067,982 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2005
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nxsteps Communication Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nxsteps Communication Incorporated
• Inventors: Mayer, Thomas J., Roach, Peter O. Jr., Roberts, Pierce J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Trinh Vo
• Application Number:
  US11/195,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20050264225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 315/160, 315/291
• US Class Current: 315/160
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/00 Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps structurally associated with the discharge lamps H01J61/54, H01J61/56
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/36 Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for an external device from a circuit of a fluorescent light. A first circuit supplies power from a fluorescent light power source to a fluorescent lamp. The power converter of an external device can be electrically connected to any two points within that circuit to create a second circuit to supply power to the external device. The power converter may be connected to the first circuit via one or more power coupling or power tether. At least one of the two points within the first circuit may comprise a pin of the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, at least one of the two points may comprise a connector of a fluorescent light fixture designed to receive a pin of the fluorescent lamp or a point within the fluorescent ballast of the fluorescent light fixture.

Claims

1. A method of deriving power for an external device from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:

mounting the external device to a surface located in proximity to a fluorescent light fixture;

electrically connecting a power converter of the external device to a first point within a circuit that supplies power from the power source to a fluorescent lamp; and

electrically connecting the power converter to a second point within the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp such that a second circuit is completed between the power converter, the first point and the second point,

whereby power supplied to the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp will be drawn by the second circuit to power the external device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the power converter is electrically connected to the first point and the second point via at least one power coupling.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the power converter is electrically connected to at least one of the first point and the second point via a power tether.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a wireless network component.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a pin of the fluorescent lamp.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a connector within a fluorescent light fixture designed to receive a pin of the fluorescent lamp.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a point within the fluorescent ballast of the fluorescent light fixture.

8. A wireless network component that derives power from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:

mounting means for mounting the wireless network component to a surface in proximity to a fluorescent lamp;

a first power coupling electrically connected to a power converter of the wireless network component and configured for electrically connecting to a first point within a circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp; and

a second power coupling electrically connected to the power converter of the wireless network component and configured for connecting to a second point within the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp such that a second circuit is completed between the power converter, the first point, and the second point,

whereby power supplied to the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp will be drawn by the second circuit to power the wireless network component.

9. The wireless network component of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a pin of the fluorescent lamp.

10. The wireless network component of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a connector within a fluorescent light fixture designed to receive a pin of the fluorescent lamp.

11. The wireless network component of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a point within a fluorescent ballast of a fluorescent light fixture.

12. A method of deriving power for an external device from a power source of a fluorescent light, comprising:

mounting the external device to a surface located in proximity to a fluorescent light fixture;

electrically connecting a power converter of the external device to a first point within a circuit that supplies power from the power source to a fluorescent lamp; and

electrically connecting the power converter to a second point within the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp such that a second circuit is completed between the power converter, the first point, and the second point,

whereby power supplied to the circuit that supplies power from the power source to the fluorescent lamp will be drawn by the second circuit to power the external device when the fluorescent lamp is installed in the fluorescent light fixture.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the power converter is electrically connected to the first point and the second point via at least one power coupling.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the power converter is electrically connected to at least one of the first point and the second point via a power tether.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the external device comprises a wireless network component.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a pin of the fluorescent lamp.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a connector within a fluorescent light fixture designed to receive a pin of the fluorescent lamp.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first point and the second point comprises a point within the fluorescent ballast of the fluorescent light fixture.