Lighting including integral communication apparatus

• US 7,938,562 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Altair Engineering Incorporated
• Inventors: Simon, David L, Ivey, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong; Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US12/257,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20100103664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 362/276, 362/234, 362/253, 362/295, 362/394, 362/411, 362/800, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/276
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/20 Light sources comprising attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/27 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with two fittings for each light source, e.g. for substitution of fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0045 by tongue and groove connections, e.g. dovetail interlocking means fixed by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0478 by means of an image recording device, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19636 pertaining to the camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/002 : with occupancy simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 : using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 : by detecting audible sound

Abstract

A lighting and communication system for use in a standardized light fixture is provided. The lighting and communication system includes a light source and a communication apparatus including at least one of an audio device and a camera. At least one electrical connector configured for physical and electrical connection to the standardized light fixture is included, and the at least one electrical connector is electrically connected to the light source and the communication apparatus.

Claims

1. A lighting and communication system for use in a standardized light fixture, the lighting and communication system comprising:

a light source;

a communication apparatus including at least one of an audio device and a camera, wherein the audio device includes a microphone; and

wherein the communication apparatus further includes a transmitter to transmit at least one of audio captured by the microphone and an image captured by the camera; and

at least one electrical connector configured for physical and electrical connection to the standardized light fixture, the at least one electrical connector electrically connected to the light source and the communication apparatus.

2. The lighting and communication system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit at least one of the captured audio and the captured image to a remote location.

3. A lighting and communication system for use in a standardized light fixture, the lighting and communication system comprising:

a light source;

a communication apparatus including at least one of an audio device and a camera;

at least one electrical connector configured for physical and electrical connection to the standardized light fixture, the at least one electrical connector electrically connected to the light source and the communication apparatus;

a controller operative in response to the communication apparatus to control a brightness of the light source, wherein the controller is operative to increase the brightness of the light source in response to at least one of detection of a sound by the audio device and a change between a first image captured by the camera and a second image captured by the camera.

4. A lighting and communication system for use in a standardized light fixture, the lighting and communication system comprising:

a light source;

a communication apparatus including at least one of an audio device and a camera;

at least one electrical connector configured for physical and electrical connection to the standardized light fixture, the at least one electrical connector electrically connected to the light source and the communication apparatus;

a controller operative in response to the communication apparatus to control a brightness of the light source, wherein the controller is operative to decrease the brightness of the light source in response to the passage of a predetermined amount of time in the absence of at least one of a sound louder than a predetermined value and a change between a first image captured by the camera and a second image captured by the camera.

5. A lighting and communication system for use in a standardized light fixture, the lighting and communication system comprising:

a light source;

a communication apparatus including at least one of an audio device and a camera, camera, wherein the audio device is operative in response to an image captured by the camera to output sound; and

at least one electrical connector configured for physical and electrical connection to the standardized light fixture, the at least one electrical connector electrically connected to the light source and the communication apparatus.

6. An LED-based light including a lighting and communication system for use in a fluorescent fixture, the LED-based light comprising:

at least one LED;

a communication apparatus including at least one of an audio device and a camera, wherein the audio device includes a microphone; and

wherein the communication apparatus further includes a transmitter to transmit at least one of audio captured by the microphone and an image captured by the camera; and

a pair of pin-carrying connectors for physical and electrical connection to the fluorescent fixture, the connectors electrically connected to the LEDs and the communication apparatus.

7. The LED-based light of claim 6, wherein the transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit at least one of the captured audio and the captured image to a remote location.

8. An LED-based light including a lighting and communication system for use in a fluorescent fixture, the LED-based light comprising:

at least one LED;

a communication apparatus including at least one of an audio device and a camera;

a pair of pain-carrying connectors for physical and electrical connection to the fluorescent fixture, the connectors electrically connected to the LEDs and the communication apparatus; and

a controller operative in response to the communication apparatus to control a brightness of the light source, wherein the controller is operative to increase the brightness of the light source in response to at least one of detection of a sound by the audio device and a change between a first image captured by the camera and a second image captured by the camera.

9. An LED-based light including a lighting and communication system for use in a fluorescent fixture, the LED-based light comprising:

a hollow tubular housing;

a circuit board in the housing;

multiple LEDs along a length of the circuit board;

a communication apparatus mounted on the circuit board, the communication apparatus including a microphone, a speaker, and a camera;

a transmitter in communication with at least one of the microphone and camera to transmit a sound or image captured by the microphone or camera; and

a pair of pin-carrying connectors for physical and electrical connection to the fluorescent fixture, the connectors electrically connected to the LEDs and the communication apparatus.