Wavelength sensing lighting system and associated methods

• US 8,492,995 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2011
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Environmental Light Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Environmental Light Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Maxik, Fredric S., Bretschneider, Eric, Medelius, Pedro, Bartine, David E., Soler, Robert R., Flickinger, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): A, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US13/269,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20130088155A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 315/291, 315/294, 315307-308, 315/312, 315/185.R, 315/185.S, 315/224
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A wavelength sensing lighting system may include a light source, a sensor and a controller. One or more light sources and sensors may be included in an array. The light source may emit an illuminating light and the sensor may sense an environmental light. The illuminating light may include data light. The lighting system may include a plurality of nodes connected in a network. The nodes may communicate by emitting and receiving the data light, which may be analyzed by the controller. The light source and the sensor may be provided by a light emitting semiconductor device that is capable of emitting illuminating light and receiving environmental light. A conversion material may convert the wavelength of a source light into a converted sight.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

a light source to emit illuminating light;

a sensor to sense environmental light from an environment;

a controller operatively connected to the sensor to analyze the environmental light that is sensed and the light source to control emitting the illuminating light;

wherein the controller analyzes the environmental light to detect or generate data relating to a condition of the environment, the data being transmittable in data light;

wherein the controller receives the data included in the data light using the sensor;

wherein the controller analyzes the data included in the data light;

wherein the controller controls transmitting the data light from the light source;

wherein the light source is included in an array to be selectively enabled and disabled by the controller;

wherein the sensor is included in the array;

wherein the array includes a plurality of light sources;

wherein the plurality of light sources is selectively operable substantially simultaneously;

wherein the plurality of light sources is selectively operable individually;

wherein the plurality of light sources selectively emits the illuminating light in a plurality of directions;

wherein the sensor receives the environmental light from the plurality of directions

wherein the light source and the sensor are included as a light emitting semiconductor device; and

wherein the light emitting semiconductor device is selectively operable between a sensing operation and an emitting operation, the sensing operation being defined by the light source sensing the environmental light, and the emitting operation being defined by the light source emitting the illuminating light.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the array includes a plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices in the array is selectively operable between the sensing operation and the emitting operation.

3. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the controller selectively operates the light emitting semiconductor device between the sensing operation and the emitting operation.

4. The lighting system according to claim 1 further comprising a switching circuit to alternate the light emitting semiconductor device between the sensing operation and the emitting operation.

5. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the light source emits the illuminating light, and wherein the sensor receives the environmental light substantially simultaneously.

6. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the controller analyzes the environmental light by measuring a drive voltage of the light source, determining a difference between a measured voltage across the light source and the drive voltage, and performing time-domain matching of the measured voltage and the environmental light using cross-correlation.

7. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode to emit the illuminating light;

and wherein the sensor includes a photodiode to sense the environmental light.

8. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources included in the array are sequentially enabled.

9. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources included in the array are defined as monochromatic light emitting diodes (LED).

10. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources included in the array are defined as white light emitting diodes (LED).

11. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources included in the array are defined as infrared light (IR) emitting diodes (LED).

12. The lighting system according to claim 1 further comprising a network comprised of nodes, each node including the light source, the sensor and the controller;

wherein the nodes intercommunicate by transmitting and receiving the data light.

13. The lighting system according to claim 12 wherein the data light includes at least one addressing bit to address the nodes intended to receive the data.

14. The lighting system according to claim 12 wherein the nodes are proximately aware of the additional nodes.

15. The lighting system according to claim 12 wherein the controller of the node included in the network of the nodes receives feedback regarding an analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory;

wherein the controller of the node controls transmitting the feedback from the analysis to the additional nodes; and

wherein the controller included in the nodes of the network collectively use machine learning to analyze the feedback.

16. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the controller receives feedback regarding an analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory;

and wherein the controller analyzes the feedback from the analysis to improve an accuracy of a subsequent analysis over a previous analysis.

17. The lighting system according to claim 16 wherein the controller uses machine learning to analyze the feedback from the analysis.

18. The lighting system according to claim 16 wherein the controller uses a neural network to analyze the feedback from the analysis.

19. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the data included in the data light includes at least one error detection bit.

20. The lighting system according to claim 1 further comprising a wavelength conversion material between the light source and the environment to absorb at least part of a source light and emit a converted light having a converted wavelength range, the source light being received and absorbed by the wavelength conversion material, and the converted light being emitted by the wavelength conversion material.

21. The lighting system according to claim 20 wherein the converted wavelength range of the converted light varies depending on the condition in the environment.

22. The lighting system according to claim 20 wherein the wavelength conversion material is selected from a group consisting of a fluorescent material, a luminescent material, and a phosphorescent material.

23. The lighting system according to claim 20 wherein the illuminating light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is emitted by the wavelength conversion material within the converted wavelength range.

24. The lighting system according to claim 20 wherein the environmental light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is received by the light source within the converted wavelength range.

25. The lighting system according to claim 20 wherein the converted wavelength range includes shorter wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing an anti-Stokes shift.

26. The lighting system according to claim 20 wherein the converted wavelength range includes longer wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing a Stokes shift.

27. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the controller is operatively connected to a voltage sensor to sense an open circuit voltage across the light emitting semiconductor device sensing the environmental light.

28. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the data light transmits the data using an operation selected from a group consisting of pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), intensity modulation, color sequencing, and duty cycle variation.

29. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein a sample rate at which data is transmitted in the data light is dynamically adjustable by the controller.

30. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the data is included in the data light digitally.

31. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the data included in the data light is encrypted.

32. The lighting system according to claim 1 further comprising a power supply to drive the light source.

33. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the light source is operable in a pulsed mode.

34. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the controller processes the environmental light to remove noise.

35. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the controller characterizes a luminosity of the environmental light.

36. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the controller characterizes a dominant wavelength included in the environmental light.

37. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the light source is included on a piezoelectric substrate.

38. The lighting system according to claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a lighting controller and an analysis processor;

wherein the lighting controller controls operation of the light source; and

wherein the analysis processor controls analysis of the sensed environmental light.

39. A lighting system comprising:

a network of nodes, each node comprising;

a light source to emit illuminating light and sense environmental light from an environment;

a wavelength conversion material between the light source and the environment to absorb at least part of a source light and emit a converted light having a conversion wavelength range, the source light being received and absorbed by the wavelength conversion material, and the converted light being emitted by the wavelength conversion material; and

a controller operatively connected to the light source to analyze the environmental light that is sensed and to control emitting the illuminating light;

wherein each of the nodes in the network are aware of additional nodes in the network;

wherein the nodes intercommunicate by transmitting and receiving data light;

wherein the controller analyzes the environmental light to detect or generate data relating to a condition of the environment, the data being transmittable in the data light to the nodes included in the network;

wherein the controller receives the data included in the data light using the light source;

wherein the controller analyzes the data included in the data light;

wherein the controller controls transmitting the data light from the light source among the nodes; and

wherein the light source is selectively operable between a sensing operation and an emitting operation, the sensing operation being defined by the light source sensing the environmental light, and the emitting operation being defined by the light source emitting the illuminating light.

40. The lighting system according to claim 39:

wherein the light source in each of the nodes is included in an array to be selectively enabled and disabled by the controller;

wherein the array includes a plurality of light sources;

wherein each light source included in the plurality of light sources is sensitive to at least one wavelength respective to the each light source;

wherein the plurality of light sources is selectively operable substantially simultaneously;

wherein the plurality of light sources is selectively operable individually;

wherein the plurality of light sources selectively emits the illuminating light in a plurality of directions and selectively receives the environmental light from the plurality of directions.

41. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller selectively operates the light source between the sensing operation and the emitting operation.

42. The lighting system according to claim 39 further comprising a switching circuit to alternate the light source between the sensing operation and the emitting operation.

43. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the light source emits the illuminating light and receives the environmental light substantially simultaneously.

44. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller analyzes the environmental light by measuring a drive voltage of the light source, determining a difference between a measured voltage across the light source and the drive voltage, and performing time-domain matching of the measured voltage and the environmental light using cross-correlation.

45. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode to emit the illuminating light and a photodiode to sense the environmental light.

46. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of the light sources included in the array are sequentially enabled.

47. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the light source is defined as a monochromatic light emitting diode (LED).

48. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the light source is defined as a white light emitting diode (LED).

49. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the light source is defined as an infrared light (IR) emitting diode (LED).

50. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the data light includes at least one addressing bit to address the nodes intended to receive the data.

51. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the nodes are proximately aware of the additional nodes.

52. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller of the node included in the network of the nodes receives feedback regarding an analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory;

wherein the controller of the node controls transmitting the feedback from the analysis to the additional nodes; and

wherein the controller included in the nodes of the network collectively use machine learning to analyze the feedback.

53. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller receives feedback regarding the analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory, wherein the controller uses machine learning to analyze the feedback from the analysis.

54. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the data included in the data light includes at least one error detection bit.

55. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the wavelength conversion material is selected from a group consisting of a fluorescent material, a luminescent material, and a phosphorescent material.

56. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the converted wavelength range of the converted light varies depending on the condition in the environment.

57. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the illuminating light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is emitted by the wavelength conversion material within the converted wavelength range.

58. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the environmental light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is received by the light source within the converted wavelength range.

59. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the converted wavelength range includes shorter wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing an anti-Stokes shift.

60. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the converted wavelength range includes longer wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing a Stokes shift.

61. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller is operatively connected to a voltage sensor to sense an open circuit voltage across the light source sensing the environmental light.

62. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the data light transmits the data by using an operation selected from a group consisting of pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), intensity modulation, color sequencing, and duty cycle variation.

63. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein a sample rate at which data is transmitted in the data light is dynamically adjustable by the controller.

64. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the data is included in the data light digitally.

65. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the data included in the data light is encrypted.

66. The lighting system according to claim 39 further comprising a power supply to drive the light source.

67. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the light source is operable in a pulsed mode.

68. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller processes the environmental light to remove noise.

69. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller characterizes a luminosity of the environmental light.

70. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller characterizes a dominant wavelength included in the environmental light.

71. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the light source is included on a piezoelectric substrate.

72. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device.

73. The lighting system according to claim 39 wherein the controller comprises a lighting controller and an analysis processor;

wherein the lighting controller controls operation of the light source; and

wherein the analysis processor controls analysis of the sensed environmental light.

74. A method for using a lighting system that comprises a light source to emit illuminating light and sense environmental light from an environment, a wavelength conversion material between the light source and the environment to absorb at least part of a source light and emit a converted light having a converted wavelength range, the source light being received and absorbed by the wavelength conversion material, and the converted light being emitted by the wavelength conversion material, and a controller operatively connected to the light source to analyze the environmental light that is sensed and to control emitting the illuminating light, the method comprising:

analyzing the environmental light to detect or generate data relating to a condition of the environment, the data being transmittable in data light;

receiving the data included in the data light;

analyzing the data included in the data light;

controlling transmitting the data light;

wherein the light source is included in an array to be selectively enabled and disabled by the controller;

wherein the array includes a plurality of light sources;

wherein each light source included in the plurality of light sources is sensitive to at least one wavelength respective to the each light source;

selectively operating the plurality of light sources substantially simultaneously;

selectively operating the plurality of light sources individually;

selectively emitting the illuminating light in a plurality of directions and selectively receiving the environmental light from the plurality of directions; and

selectively operating each of the plurality of light sources in the array between a sensing operation and an emitting operation, the sensing operation being defined by the light source sensing the environmental light, and the emitting operation being defined by the light source emitting the illuminating light.

75. The method according to claim 74 wherein the controller selectively operates the light source between the sensing operation and the emitting operation.

76. The method according to claim 74 further comprising alternating the light source between the sensing operation and the emitting operation using a switching circuit.

77. The method according to claim 74 wherein the light source emits the illuminating light and receives the environmental light substantially simultaneously.

78. The method according to claim 74 wherein the controller analyzes the environmental light by measuring a drive voltage of the light source, determining a difference between a measured voltage across the light source and the drive voltage, and performing time-domain matching of the measured voltage and the environmental light using cross-correlation.

79. The method according to claim 74 wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode to emit the illuminating light and a photodiode to sense the environmental light.

80. The method according to claim 74 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources included in the array are sequentially enabled.

81. The method according to claim 74 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources included in the array are defined as monochromatic light emitting diodes (LED).

82. The method according to claim 74 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources included in the array are defined as white light emitting diodes (LED).

83. The method according to claim 74 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light sources included in the array are defined as infrared light (IR) emitting diodes (LED).

84. The method according to claim 74 wherein the lighting system further comprises a network comprised of nodes, each node including the light source and the controller;

wherein the nodes intercommunicate by transmitting and receiving the data light.

85. The method according to claim 84 wherein the data light includes at least one addressing bit to address the nodes intended to receive the data.

86. The method according to claim 84 wherein the nodes are proximately aware of the additional nodes.

87. The method according to claim 84 wherein the controller of the node included in the network of the nodes receives feedback regarding an analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory;

wherein the controller of the node controls transmitting the feedback from the analysis to the additional nodes; and

wherein the controller included in the nodes of the network collectively use machine learning to analyze the feedback.

88. The method according to claim 74 wherein the controller receives feedback regarding an analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory;

and wherein the controller uses machine learning to analyze the feedback from the analysis.

89. The method according to claim 74 wherein the data included in the data light includes at least one error detection bit.

90. The method according to claim 74 wherein the wavelength conversion material is selected from a group consisting of a fluorescent material, a luminescent material, and a phosphorescent material.

91. The method according to claim 74 wherein the converted wavelength range of the converted light varies depending on the condition in the environment.

92. The method according to claim 74 wherein the illuminating light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is emitted by the wavelength conversion material within the converted wavelength range.

93. The method according to claim 74 wherein the environmental light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is received by the light source within the converted wavelength range.

94. The method according to claim 74 wherein the converted wavelength range includes shorter wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing an anti-Stokes shift.

95. The method according to claim 74 wherein the converted wavelength range includes longer wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing a Stokes shift.

96. The method according to claim 74 wherein the controller is operatively connected to a voltage sensor to sense an open circuit voltage across the light source sensing the environmental light.

97. The method according to claim 74 wherein the data light transmits the data using an operation selected from a group consisting of pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), intensity modulation, color sequencing, and duty cycle variation.

98. The method according to claim 74 wherein a sample rate at which data is transmitted in the data light is dynamically adjustable by the controller.

99. The method according to claim 74 wherein the data is included in the data light digitally.

100. The method according to claim 74 wherein the data included in the data light is encrypted.

101. The method according to claim 74 wherein the lighting system further includes a power supply to drive the light source.

102. The method according to claim 74 further comprising operating the light source in a pulsed mode.

103. The method according to claim 74 further comprising processing the environmental light to remove noise.

104. The method according to claim 74 wherein the controller characterizes a luminosity of the environmental light.

105. The method according to claim 74 wherein the controller characterizes a dominant wavelength included in the environmental light.

106. The method according to claim 74 wherein the light source is included on a piezoelectric substrate.

107. The method according to claim 74 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device.

108. The method according to claim 74 wherein the controller comprises a lighting controller and an analysis processor;

wherein the lighting controller controls operation of the light source; and

wherein the analysis processor controls analysis of the sensed environmental light.

109. A method of using a lighting system that comprises a network of nodes, wherein each node comprises a light source to emit illuminating light and sense environmental light from an environment, a wavelength conversion material between the light source and the environment to absorb at least part of a source light and emit a converted light having a converted wavelength range, the source light being received and absorbed by the wavelength conversion material, and the converted light being emitted by the wavelength conversion material, and a controller operatively connected to the light source to analyze the environmental light that is sensed and to control emitting the illuminating light, wherein each of the nodes in the network are aware of additional nodes in the network, the method comprising:

the nodes intercommunicating among one another by transmitting and receiving data light;

analyzing the environmental light to detect or generate data relating to a condition of the environment, the data being transmittable in the data light to the nodes included in the network;

receiving and analyzing the data included in the data light;

controlling transmitting the data light from the light source among the nodes; and

selectively operating the light source between a sensing operation and an emitting operation, the sensing operation being defined by the light source sensing the environmental light, and the emitting operation being defined by the light source emitting the illuminating light.

110. The method according to claim 109:

wherein the light source in each of the nodes is included in an array to be selectively enabled and disabled by the controller;

wherein the array includes a plurality of light sources;

wherein each light source included in the plurality of light sources is sensitive to at least one wavelength respective to the each light source;

selectively operating the plurality of light sources substantially simultaneously;

selectively operating the plurality of light sources individually; and

selectively emitting the illuminating light in a plurality of directions and selectively receiving the environmental light from the plurality of directions.

111. The method according to claim 109 wherein the controller selectively operates the light source between the sensing operation and the emitting operation.

112. The method according to claim 109 further comprising alternating the light source between the sensing operation and the emitting operation using a switching circuit.

113. The method according to claim 109 wherein the light source emits the illuminating light and receives the environmental light substantially simultaneously.

114. The method according to claim 109 wherein the controller analyzes the environmental light by measuring a drive voltage of the light source, determining a difference between a measured voltage across the light source and the drive voltage, and performing time-domain matching of the measured voltage and the environmental light using cross-correlation.

115. The method according to claim 109 wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode to emit the illuminating light and a photodiode to sense the environmental light.

116. The method according to claim 109 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of the light sources included in the array are sequentially enabled.

117. The method according to claim 109 wherein the light source is defined as a monochromatic light emitting diode (LED).

118. The method according to claim 109 wherein the light source is defined as a white light emitting diode (LED).

119. The method according to claim 109 wherein the light source is defined as an infrared light (IR) emitting diode (LED).

120. The method according to claim 109 wherein the data light includes at least one addressing bit to address the nodes intended to receive the data.

121. The method according to claim 109 wherein the nodes are proximately aware of the additional nodes.

122. The method according to claim 109 wherein the controller of the node included in the network of the nodes receives feedback regarding an analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory;

wherein the controller of the node controls transmitting the feedback from the analysis to the additional nodes; and

wherein the controller included in the nodes of the network collectively use machine learning to analyze the feedback.

123. The method according to claim 109 wherein the controller receives feedback regarding the analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory, wherein the controller uses machine learning to analyze the feedback from the analysis.

124. The method according to claim 109 wherein the data included in the data light includes at least one error detection bit.

125. The method according to claim 109 wherein the wavelength conversion material is selected from a group consisting of a fluorescent material, a luminescent material, and a phosphorescent material.

126. The method according to claim 109 wherein the converted wavelength range of the converted light varies depending on the condition in the environment.

127. The method according to claim 109 wherein the illuminating light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is emitted by the wavelength conversion material within the converted wavelength range.

128. The method according to claim 109 wherein the environmental light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is received by the light source within the converted wavelength range.

129. The method according to claim 109 wherein the converted wavelength range includes shorter wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing an anti-Stokes shift.

130. The method according to claim 109 wherein the converted wavelength range includes longer wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing a Stokes shift.

131. The method according to claim 109 wherein the controller is operatively connected to a voltage sensor to sense an open circuit voltage across the light source sensing the environmental light.

132. The method according to claim 109 wherein the data light transmits the data by using an operation selected from a group consisting of pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), intensity modulation, color sequencing, and duty cycle variation.

133. The method according to claim 109 wherein a sample rate at which data is transmitted in the data light is dynamically adjustable by the controller.

134. The method according to claim 109 wherein the data is included in the data light digitally.

135. The method according to claim 109 wherein the data included in the data light is encrypted.

136. The method according to claim 109 wherein the lighting system further comprises a power supply to drive the light source.

137. The method according to claim 109 further comprising selectively operating the light source in a pulsed mode.

138. The method according to claim 109 further comprising processing the environmental light to remove noise.

139. The method according to claim 109 wherein the controller characterizes a luminosity of the environmental light.

140. The method according to claim 109 wherein the controller characterizes a dominant wavelength included in the environmental light.

141. The method according to claim 109 wherein the light source is included on a piezoelectric substrate.

142. The method according to claim 109 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device.

143. The method according to claim 109 wherein the controller comprises a lighting controller and an analysis processor;

wherein the lighting controller controls operation of the light source; and

wherein the analysis processor controls analysis of the sensed environmental light.

144. A lighting system comprising:

a light source to emit illuminating light and sense environmental light from an environment;

a lighting controller operatively connected to the light source to control emitting the illuminating light; and

an analysis processor operatively connected to the light source to analyze the environmental light that is sensed;

wherein the analysis processor analyzes the environmental light to detect or generate data relating to a condition of the environment, the data being transmittable in data light;

wherein the lighting controller selectively operates the light source;

wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device; and

wherein the light emitting semiconductor device is selectively operable between a sensing operation and an emitting operation, the sensing operation being defined by the light source sensing the environmental light, and the emitting operation being defined by the light source emitting the illuminating light.

145. The lighting system according to claim 144, further comprising:

a controller including the lighting controller and the analysis processor to selectively operate the light-emitting semiconductor device to sense the environmental light and to emit illuminating light;

wherein the controller receives the data included in the data light using the light emitting semiconductor device;

wherein the controller analyzes the data included in the data light;

wherein the controller controls transmitting the data light from the light emitting semiconductor device;

wherein the light emitting semiconductor device is included in an array to be selectively enabled and disabled by the controller;

wherein the array includes a plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices;

wherein each light emitting semiconductor device included in the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices is sensitive to at least one wavelength respective to the each light emitting semiconductor device;

wherein the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices is selectively operable substantially simultaneously;

wherein the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices is selectively operable individually;

wherein the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices selectively emits the illuminating light in a plurality of directions and selectively receives the environmental light from the plurality of directions;

wherein each of the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices in the array is selectively operable between a sensing operation and an emitting operation, the sensing operation being defined by the light emitting semiconductor device sensing the environmental light, and the emitting operation being defined by the light emitting semiconductor device emitting the illuminating light.

146. The lighting system according to claim 144 further comprising a switching circuit to alternate the light emitting semiconductor device between the sensing operation and the emitting operation.

147. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the analysis processor analyzes the environmental light by measuring a drive voltage of the light emitting semiconductor device, determining a difference between a measured voltage across the light emitting semiconductor device and the drive voltage, and performing time-domain matching of the measured voltage and the environmental light using cross-correlation.

148. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices included in the array are sequentially enabled;

and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices included in the array are selected from a group consisting of monochromatic light emitting diodes (LED), white light emitting diodes (LED), and infrared light (IR) emitting diodes (LED).

149. The lighting system according to claim 144 further comprising a network comprised of nodes, each node including the light emitting semiconductor device and the controller;

wherein the nodes intercommunicate by transmitting and receiving the data light;

wherein the nodes are proximately aware of the additional nodes; and

wherein the data light includes at least one addressing bit to address the nodes intended to receive the data.

150. The lighting system according to claim 149 wherein the controller of a node included in the network of the nodes receives feedback regarding an analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory;

wherein the controller of the node transmits the feedback from the analysis to the additional nodes; and

wherein the controller included in the nodes of the network collectively use machine learning to analyze the feedback.

151. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the controller receives feedback regarding an analysis performed by the controller to be stored in memory;

and wherein the controller uses machine learning to analyze the feedback from the analysis.

152. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the data included in the data light includes at least one error detection bit.

153. The lighting system according to claim 144 further comprising a wavelength conversion material between the light emitting semiconductor device and the environment to absorb at least part of a source light and emit a converted light having a converted wavelength range, the source light being received and absorbed by the wavelength conversion material, and the converted light being emitted by the wavelength conversion material;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material absorbs a wavelength that cannot be sensed by the light emitting semiconductor device and converts it to a wavelength that can be sensed by the light emitting semiconductor device.

154. The lighting system according to claim 153 wherein the wavelength conversion material is selected from a group consisting of a fluorescent material, a luminescent material, and a phosphorescent material;

and wherein the converted wavelength range of the converted light varies depending on the condition in the environment.

155. The lighting system according to claim 153 wherein the illuminating light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is emitted by the wavelength conversion material within the converted wavelength range.

156. The lighting system according to claim 153 wherein the environmental light is received by the wavelength conversion material as the source light;

wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light; and

wherein the converted light is received by the light emitting semiconductor device within the converted wavelength range.

157. The lighting system according to claim 153 wherein the converted wavelength range includes shorter wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing an anti-Stokes shift.

158. The lighting system according to claim 153 wherein the converted wavelength range includes longer wavelengths than the source wavelength range;

and wherein the wavelength conversion material converts the source light to the converted light by performing a Stokes shift.

159. The lighting system according to claim 153 wherein the analysis processor is operatively connected to a voltage sensor to sense an open circuit voltage across the light emitting diode sensing the environmental light.

160. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the data light transmits the data using an operation selected from a group consisting of pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), intensity modulation, color sequencing, and duty cycle variation.

161. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein a sample rate at which data is transmitted in the data light is dynamically adjustable by the lighting controller.

162. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the data is included in the data light digitally.

163. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the data included in the data light is encrypted.

164. The lighting system according to claim 144 further comprising a power supply to drive the light source.

165. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the light source is operable in a pulsed mode.

166. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the analysis processor processes the environmental light to remove noise.

167. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the analysis processor characterizes a luminosity of the environmental light.

168. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the analysis processor characterizes a dominant wavelength included in the environmental light.

169. The lighting system according to claim 144 wherein the light source is included on a piezoelectric substrate.