Fluorescent light power source for supplying power to an external device

• US 7,084,574 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2005
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• 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., Roberts, Pierce J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Trinh Vo
• Application Number:
  US11/195,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20050264224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 315/160, 315/291, 340/310.01
• 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 the power source of a fluorescent light. The power source includes a fluorescent ballast electrically connected to the connectors of a light fixture for receiving an input voltage and for converting the input voltage to a lamp voltage suitable for powering a fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent ballast may be modified to include an output line that outputs a voltage for powering the external device to a power port. The power port may be mounted on or near the fluorescent light. Alternatively, the power port may be integrated within a housing that contains one of the connectors of the light fixture. The ballast may be further modified to include an output line for extracting network data and control signals from the power line carrier signals on the input voltage.

Claims

1. A power source of a fluorescent light configured for supplying power to an external device, comprising:

a fluorescent ballast for receiving an input voltage via an input line and converting said input voltage to a lamp voltage suitable for illuminating a fluorescent lamp and an external device voltage suitable for powering an external device;

a first output line electrically connecting the fluorescent ballast to connectors within a light fixture for outputting the lamp voltage from the fluorescent ballast to the connectors; and

a second output line electrically connecting the fluorescent ballast to a power port for outputting the external device voltage from the fluorescent ballast to the power port.

2. The power source of claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a wireless network component.

3. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power port is integrated within a housing that contains one of the connectors.

4. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power port is mounted on or near the light fixture.

5. The power source of claim 1, further comprising a third output line for extracting network data and control signals from power line carrier signals on the input voltage.

6. The power source of claim 1, further comprising a signal bypass network electrically connected to the input line and to at least one of the first output line and the second output line for allowing power line carrier signals to bypass the fluorescent ballast.

7. The power source of claim 1, wherein the external device is mounted to the fluorescent lamp.

8. The power source of claim 1, wherein the external device is mounted to a surface in proximity to the fluorescent lamp.

9. The power source of claim 1, wherein the power port is configured to receive a plug of the external device, said plug being electrically connected to a power supply of the external device.

10. A power source of a fluorescent light configured for supplying power to an external device, comprising:

a fluorescent ballast for receiving an input voltage via an input line and converting said input voltage to a lamp voltage suitable for illuminating a fluorescent lamp and an external device voltage suitable for powering an external device;

a first output line electrically connecting the fluorescent ballast to connectors within a light fixture for outputting the lamp voltage from the fluorescent ballast to the connectors;

a second output line electrically connecting the fluorescent ballast to a power port for outputting the external device voltage from the fluorescent ballast to the power port; and

wherein the power port is integrated within a housing that contains one of the connectors.

11. The power source of claim 10, wherein the external device comprises a wireless network component.

12. The power source of claim 10, further comprising a third output line for extracting network data and control signals from power line carrier signals on the input voltage.

13. The power source of claim 10, further comprising a signal bypass network electrically connected to the input line and to at least one of the first output line and the second output line for allowing power line carrier signals to bypass the fluorescent ballast.

14. The power source of claim 10, wherein the external device is mounted to the fluorescent lamp.

15. The power source of claim 10, wherein the external device is mounted to a surface in proximity to the fluorescent lamp.

16. The power source of claim 10, wherein the power port is configured to receive a plug of the external device, said plug being electrically connected to a power supply of the external device.

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

receiving input voltage at a fluorescent ballast, the input voltage comprising power line carrier signals;

separating the power line carrier signals from the input voltage;

converting the input voltage to a lamp voltage suitable for illuminating a fluorescent lamp and to an external device voltage suitable for powering the external device;

outputting the lamp voltage from the fluorescent ballast to connectors within a light fixture; and

outputting the external device voltage from the fluorescent ballast to a power port electrically connected to the external device.

18. The power source of claim 17, wherein the external device comprises a wireless network component.

19. The power source of claim 17, wherein the power port is integrated within a housing that contains one of the connectors.

20. The power source of claim 17, wherein the power port is mounted on or near the light fixture.