Integration of LED lighting with building controls

• US 8,214,084 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2009
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ivey, John, Simon, David L
• Primary Examiner(s): KASENGE, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US12/572,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20100106306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 700/275, 700/276, 700/295, 700/296, 700/297, 700/277, 700/291, 315/291, 315/307, 315/308, 315/315, 362/234, 362/253, 362/276, 398/183, 340/815.45
• US Class Current: 700/275
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/272 Details of end parts, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within end parts F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/02 combined with lighting fixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/34 Heater, e.g. gas burner, electric air heater
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/007 with forced flow using ducting systems F24F7/06
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/04 with ducting systems , e.g. by double walls; with natural circulation F24F7/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/357 specially adapted for retrofit LED light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 : Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 : in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 : by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 : by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 : by detecting audible sound
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 : by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 : via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 : Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

An LED-based light can be installed in a conventional light fixture. The LED-based light can include a sensor operable to output a first signal indicative of whether an area of one or more of the rooms is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state, and the LED-based light can also include an LED controller operable to control at least one LED in the light in response to the first signal. Additionally, the LED-based light can include a transmitter operable to output a second signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state to a building environment regulator.

Claims

1. A system for use in conjunction with a conventional light fixture that is electrically connected to a power source and that is configured to receive a standardized electrical connector of a conventional light and with a building environment regulator that regulates at least one environmental condition in one or more rooms of a building, the system comprising:

an LED-based light including at least one electrical connector compatible with the conventional light fixture, at least one LED, a sensor operable to output a first signal indicative of whether an area of one or more of the rooms is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state, an LED controller operable to control the at least one LED in response to the first signal, and a transmitter operable to transmit a second signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state, wherein the LED controller estimates an amount of power being used by the building and controls the at least one LED based on the estimated amount of power; and

a regulator controller in communication with the transmitter and operable to control one or more functions of the building environment regulator in response to the second signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical connector includes a pair of bi-pin end caps configured for engagement with a standard fluorescent tube receiving fixture.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the LED-based light further comprises a circuit board in electrical communication with at least one of the bi-pin end caps, and wherein the at least one LED, the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are mounted on the circuit board and in electrical communication therewith;

and

wherein the at least one LED includes multiple LEDs that output an amount of light substantially equal to an amount of light produced by a conventional fluorescent tube.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor, LED controller and transmitter are in electrical communication with the at least one electrical connector.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects one or more of motion and sound.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal is at least partially based on at least one of a time of day and a day of the week.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the LED-based light further comprises a receiver that receives an auxiliary signal generated from a source outside the LED-based light indicative of whether the one or more rooms in the building are in the occupied state or unoccupied state;

and

wherein the LED controller is operable to control the at least one LED in response to the auxiliary signal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the regulator controller is operable to control at least one of a temperature setting, an airflow setting, a humidity setting, and a brightness setting of the building environment regulator.

9. An LED-based light tube operable in cooperation with a building environment regulator that regulates at least one environmental condition in one or more rooms of a building, the LED-based light tube comprising:

a tube including a light transmitting portion;

a pair of electrical connectors attached to opposing ends of the tube, the electrical connectors compatible with a standard fluorescent light fixture;

at least one LED operable to produce light that passes through the light transmitting portion of the tube;

a sensor operable to output a first signal indicative of whether an area of one or more of the rooms is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state;

an LED controller operable to control the at least one LED in response to the first signal, wherein the LED controller estimates an amount of power being used by the building and controls the at least one LED based on the estimated amount of power; and

a transmitter operable to output a second signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state to the building environment regulator.

10. The LED-based light tube of claim 9, further comprising a circuit board disposed in the tube and in electrical communication with at least one of the electrical connectors.

11. The LED-based light tube of claim 10, wherein the at least one LED includes a plurality of LEDs mounted on the circuit board, and wherein the sensor, LED controller, and transmitter are mounted on the circuit board.

12. The LED-based light tube of claim 9, wherein the pair of electrical connectors include a pair of bi-pin electrical connectors.

13. The LED-based light tube of claim 9, wherein the sensor, LED controller and transmitter are in electrical communication with the at least one electrical connector.

14. The LED-based light tube of claim 9, wherein the sensor detects one or more of motion and sound.

15. The LED-based light tube of claim 9, wherein the first signal is at least partially based on at least one of a time of day and a day of the week.

16. The LED-based light tube of claim 9, further comprising a receiver that receives an auxiliary signal generated from a source outside the LED-based light indicative of whether the one or more rooms in the building are in the occupied state or unoccupied state;

and

wherein the LED controller is operable to control the at least one LED in response to the auxiliary signal.

17. The LED-based light tube of claim 9, wherein the second signal includes an instruction to alter one or more of a temperature setting, an airflow setting, a humidity setting, and a brightness setting of the building environment regulator.