Configurable environmental condition sensing luminaire, system and associated methods

• US 8,674,608 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2012
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Inventors: Holland, Eric, Boomgaarden, Mark P., Thosteson, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Crystal L
• Application Number:
  US13/403,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20120286673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 315/155
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• 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 47/17 Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A luminaire with a light source, controller, and sensors to emit light into an environment is described. The controller may include a processor and memory to analyze data relating to conditions in the environment and to control the light source emitting light. The sensors may be in communication with the controller to detect conditions in the environment and generate data relating to same. The data may be receivable by the controller. Rules affect operation of the luminaire, which may be manipulated using an interface. The luminaire may communicate with devices connected through a network. Light and an auxiliary signal may be emitted substantially simultaneously to provide spatial awareness.

Claims

1. A luminaire comprising:

a light source from which light is emittable into an environment;

a controller including a processor and memory to analyze data relating to conditions in the environment and to control the light source;

sensors in communication with the controller to detect the conditions in the environment and generate the data relating to the conditions, the data being transmittable to the controller;

rules definable to affect operation of the light source, the rules being stored in the memory to be comparable with the data;

wherein the light source is operable in a plurality of modes defined by the rules;

wherein operation of the light source is modifiable by the controller responsive to the data relating to at least one of the conditions;

wherein the light source is operable having a duty cycle controlled by the controller, the duty cycle having an active duration wherein the light source emits the light and an inactive duration wherein the light source does not emit the light;

wherein the sensors include a motion detector in communication with the controller to detect motion in the environment as the condition;

wherein the motion detector transmits the data to the controller relating to the motion that is detected;

wherein ambient light levels in the environment are detectable by at least one of the sensors in communication with the controller as the condition; and

wherein data is transmitted to the controller relating to the ambient light levels that are detected, the ambient light levels being detectable during the inactive duration of the duty cycle.

2. A luminaire according to claim 1 further comprising a timer in communication with the controller, wherein the timer transmits data to the controller relating to an amount of time elapsed relating to an event definable by the rules, the timer being includable in the controller.

3. A luminaire according to claim 1 further comprising a network interface in communication with the controller, wherein at least part of the data is trans table by the controller using the network interface, and wherein at least part of the data is receivable by the controller using the network interface.

4. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the controller, the light source, and the sensors are included in a node that is part of a network of nodes, wherein a plurality of nodes are includable in the network of nodes, and wherein data is transmittable and receivable between the nodes included in the network of nodes.

5. A luminaire according to claim 4 wherein the node is spatially aware relative to at least one of the nodes in the network of nodes.

6. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device.

7. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the light emitted by the light source includes a source wavelength range, wherein at least part of the light in the source wavelength range is received by a phosphorescent, fluorescent, or luminescent conversion material to be converted to a converted wavelength range to be includable in the light.

8. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein a light identifier is includable in the light.

9. A luminaire according to claim 8 further comprising:

an auxiliary signal emitter;

wherein the auxiliary signal emitter emits an auxiliary signal having a velocity that differs from the light;

wherein an auxiliary signal identifier is includable in the auxiliary signal;

wherein the light identifier and the auxiliary signal identifier are definable to identify the light that correlates with the auxiliary signal, wherein the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier are emitted substantially simultaneously;

wherein the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier are detectable by a device located in the environment;

wherein a delay between detecting the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier is analyzed to determine a spatial awareness.

10. A luminaire according to claim 9 wherein the light identifier and the auxiliary signal identifier are detectable by at least one of the sensors, and wherein the controller analyzes the delay to determine the spatial awareness.

11. A luminaire according to claim 10 wherein the auxiliary signal includes acoustic energy.

12. A luminaire according to claim 1 further comprising an interface to define the rules.

13. A luminaire according to claim 12 wherein the interface is manipulable to cause a signal to be sent to the controller, wherein the signal relates to a state of the interface.

14. A luminaire according to claim 13 wherein inputs of the interface include capacitive sensors, the state of at least one of the capacitive sensors being independently alterable upon being engaged, and wherein the state to which the capacitive sensors are alterable is definable by the rules.

15. A luminaire according to claim 13 wherein inputs of the interface include mechanical toggles, the state of at least one of the mechanical toggles being independently alterable upon being engaged, and wherein the state to which the mechanical toggles are alterable is definable by the rules.

16. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the ambient light levels are detectable by an ambient light detector in communication with the controller to detect the ambient light levels in the environment as the condition, wherein the controller receives the data from the ambient light detector relating to the ambient light levels that are detected.

17. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the controller is carried by a radio logic board;

and wherein the luminaire further comprises an antenna coupled to the radio logic board.

18. A luminaire according to claim 17 wherein the radio logic board is separated from heat producing elements of the luminaire by a buffer distance.

19. A luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the light source is operable by dimming the light source or moving the light source between an on position and an off position.

20. A system for controlling a luminaire comprising:

a controller including a processor and memory to analyze data and to control a light source to emit light;

an interface that is manipulable to cause a signal to be sent to the controller, wherein the signal relates to a state of the interface;

sensors in communication with the controller to detect a condition in the environment and generate the data relating to the condition, the data being transmittable to the controller for analysis;

rules definable to affect operation of the light source, the rules being stored in the memory to be comparable with the data, the rules being definable using the interface;

wherein the light source is operable in a plurality of modes defined by the rules, at least one of the plurality of modes being selectable and definable using the interface.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the sensors include a motion detector in communication with the controller to detect motion in the environment as the condition, wherein the motion detector transmits the data to the controller relating to the motion that is detected.

22. A system according to claim 20 wherein the light source is operable having a duty cycle controlled by the controller, the duty cycle having an active duration wherein the light source emits the light and an inactive duration wherein the light source does not emit the light.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein the sensors include an ambient light detector in communication with the controller to detect ambient light levels in the environment as the condition, wherein the ambient light detector transmits the data to the controller relating to the ambient light levels that are detected, the ambient light detector detecting the ambient light levels during the inactive duration of the duty cycle.

24. A system according to claim 20 further comprising a timer in communication with the controller, wherein the timer transmits data to the controller relating to an amount of time elapsed relating to an event definable by the rules, the timer being includable in the controller.

25. A system according to claim 20 further comprising a network interface in communication with the controller, wherein at least part of the data is trans table by the controller using the network interface, and wherein at least part of the data is receivable by the controller using the network interface.

26. A system according to claim 20 wherein the controller, light source, and sensors are included in a node that is part of a network of nodes, wherein a plurality of nodes are includable in the network of nodes, wherein data is transmittable and receivable between the nodes included in the network of nodes.

27. A system according to claim 26 wherein the node is spatially aware relative to at least one of the nodes in the network of nodes.

28. A system according to claim 20 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device.

29. A system according to claim 20 wherein the light emitted by the light source includes a source wavelength range, wherein at least part of the light in the source wavelength range is received by a phosphorescent, fluorescent, or luminescent conversion material to be converted to a converted wavelength range to be includable in the light.

30. A system according to claim 20 wherein inputs of the interface include capacitive sensors, the state of at least one of the capacitive sensors being independently alterable upon being engaged by an object, and wherein the state to which the capacitive sensor is alterable is definable by the rules.

31. A system according to claim 20 wherein inputs of the interface include mechanical toggles, the state of at least one of the mechanical toggles being independently alterable upon being engaged by an object, and wherein the state to which the mechanical toggles is alterable is definable by the rules.

32. A system according to claim 20 wherein a light identifier is includable in the light.

33. A system according to claim 32 further comprising:

an auxiliary signal emitter;

wherein the auxiliary signal emitter emits an auxiliary signal having a velocity that differs from the light;

wherein an auxiliary signal identifier is includable in the auxiliary signal;

wherein the light identifier and the auxiliary signal identifier are definable to identify the light that correlates with the auxiliary signal that is emitted substantially simultaneously;

wherein the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier are detectable by a device located in the environment;

wherein the controller analyzes a delay between detecting the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier to determine a spatial awareness.

34. A system according to claim 33 wherein the auxiliary signal includes acoustic energy.

35. A system according to claim 20 wherein the controller, the sensors, and the interface are included in the luminaire.

36. A system according to claim 20 wherein the controller is carried by a radio logic board;

wherein the system further comprises an antenna coupled to the radio logic board; and

wherein the radio logic board is separated from heat producing elements of the luminaire by a buffer distance.

37. A system according to claim 20 wherein the light source is operable by dimming the light source or moving the light source between an on position and an off position.

38. A luminaire comprising:

a light source from which light is emittable into an environment;

a controller including a processor and memory to analyze data relating to conditions in the environment and to control the light source;

sensors in communication with the controller to detect the conditions in the environment and generate the data relating to the conditions, the data being transmittable to the controller;

rules definable to affect operation of the light source, the rules being stored in the memory to being comparable with the data; and

an auxiliary signal emitter;

wherein the light source is operable in a plurality of modes defined by the rules;

wherein the operation of the light source is modifiable by the controller responsive to the data relating to at least one of the conditions;

wherein the auxiliary signal emitter emits an auxiliary signal with a velocity that differs from the light;

wherein a light identifier is includable in the light and an auxiliary signal identifier is includable in the auxiliary signal;

wherein the light identifier and the auxiliary signal identifier are definable to identify the light that correlates with the auxiliary signal, wherein the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier are emitted substantially simultaneously;

wherein the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier are detectable by a device located in the environment;

wherein a delay between detecting the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier is analyzed to determine a spatial awareness.

39. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the light identifier and the auxiliary signal identifier are detectable by at least one of the sensors, and wherein the controller analyzes the delay to determine the spatial awareness.

40. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the auxiliary signal includes acoustic energy.

41. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the sensors include a motion detector in communication with the controller to detect motion in the environment as the condition;

and wherein the motion detector transmits data to the controller relating to the motion that is detected.

42. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the light source is operable having a duty cycle controlled by the controller, the duty cycle having an active duration wherein the light source emits the light and an inactive duration wherein the light source does not emit the light;

wherein the sensors include an ambient light detector in communication with the controller to detect ambient light levels in the environment as the condition; and

wherein the ambient light detector transmits the data to the controller relating to the ambient light level detected, the ambient light detector detecting the ambient light level during the inactive duration of the duty cycle.

43. A luminaire according to claim 38 further comprising a timer in communication with the controller, wherein the timer transmits data to the controller relating to an amount of time elapsed relating to an event definable by the rules, the timer being includable in the controller.

44. A luminaire according to claim 38 further comprising a network interface in communication with the controller, wherein at least part of the data is transmittable by the controller using the network interface, and wherein at least part of the data is receivable by the controller using the network interface.

45. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the controller, the light source, and the sensors are included in a node that is part of a network of nodes, wherein a plurality of nodes are includable in the network of nodes, wherein data is transmittable and receivable between the nodes included in the network of nodes.

46. A luminaire according to claim 45 wherein the node is spatially aware relative to at least one of the nodes in the network of nodes.

47. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device.

48. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the light emitted by the light source includes a source wavelength range, wherein at least part of the light in the source wavelength range is received by a phosphorescent, fluorescent, or luminescent conversion material to be converted to a converted wavelength range to be includable in the light.

49. A luminaire according to claim 38 further comprising an interface to define the rules.

50. A luminaire according to claim 49 wherein the interface is manipulable to cause a signal to be sent to the controller, wherein the signal relates to a state of the interface.

51. A luminaire according to claim 50 wherein the inputs of the interface include capacitive sensors, the state of at least one of the capacitive sensors being independently alterable upon being engaged, and wherein the states to which the capacitive sensors are altered is definable by the rules.

52. A luminaire according to claim 50 wherein the inputs of the interface include mechanical toggles, the state of at least one of the mechanical toggles is being independently alterable upon being engaged by an object, and wherein the state to which the mechanical toggles is are alterable is definable by the rules.

53. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the controller is carried by a radio logic board;

wherein the luminaire further comprises an antenna coupled to the radio logic board; and

wherein the radio logic board is separated from heat producing elements of the luminaire by a buffer distance.

54. A luminaire according to claim 38 wherein the light source is operable by dimming the light source or moving the light source between an on position and an off position.

55. A method for controlling a luminaire with an interface, the method comprising:

receiving a signal by a controller from the interface, the interface being manipulable to generate the signal, the controller including a processor and memory;

analyzing the signal using the controller by comparing the signal to rules included in the memory, at least part of the rules being definable using the interface to control operation of a light source to emit light;

receiving data from sensors in communication with the controller relating to a condition detected in the environment, the data being receivable by the controller from the sensors for analysis; and

comparing the data received by the sensor with at least part of the rules to operate the light source in a mode determined by comparing the data with the rules;

wherein the interface is manipulable to cause the signal to be sent to the controller;

wherein the signal relates to a state of the interface.

56. A method according to claim 55 wherein inputs of the interface include capacitive sensors, the state of at least one of the capacitive sensors being independently alterable upon being engaged, and wherein the state to which the capacitive sensors are alterable is definable by the rules.

57. A method according to claim 55 wherein the inputs of the interface include mechanical toggles, the state of at least one of the mechanical toggles is being independently alterable upon being engaged by an object, and wherein the state to which the mechanical toggles is are alterable is definable by the rules.

58. A method according to claim 55 further comprising transmitting the data from a motion detector to the controller, wherein the data relates to motion that is detected by the motion detector.

59. A method according to claim 55 wherein the light source is operable having a duty cycle controlled by the controller, the duty cycle having an active duration wherein the light source emits the light and an inactive duration wherein the light source does not emit the light.

60. A method according to claim 59 further comprising transmitting the data from an ambient light detector to the controller, wherein the data relates to ambient light levels that are detected during the inactive duration of the duty cycle by the ambient light detector.

61. A method according to claim 55 further comprising transmitting data from a timer to the controller, wherein the data includes an amount of time elapsed relating to an event definable by the rules.

62. A method according to claim 55 wherein a network interface is in communication with the controller, wherein at least part of the data is transmittable by the controller using the network interface, and wherein at least part of the data is receivable by the controller using the network interface.

63. A method according to claim 62 wherein the controller, light source, and sensors are included in a node that is part of a network of nodes, wherein a plurality of nodes are includable in the network of nodes, wherein data is transmittable and receivable between the nodes included in the network of nodes.

64. A method according to claim 63 wherein the node is spatially aware relative to at least one of the nodes in the network of nodes.

65. A method according to claim 63 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device.

66. A method according to claim 55 wherein the light source is a light emitting semiconductor device.

67. A method according to claim 55 wherein the light emitted by the light source includes a source wavelength range, wherein at least part of the light in the source wavelength range is received by a phosphorescent, fluorescent, or luminescent conversion material to be converted to a converted wavelength range to be includable in the light.

68. A method according to claim 55 wherein a light identifier is includable in the light.

69. A method according to claim 68 wherein an auxiliary signal emitter is communicatively connected to the controller;

wherein an auxiliary signal is emittable by the auxiliary signal emitter having a velocity that differs from the light;

further comprising;

including an auxiliary signal identifier in the auxiliary signal, the light identifier and the auxiliary signal identifier being definable to identify the light that correlates with the auxiliary signal, wherein the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier are emitted substantially simultaneously;

detecting the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier; and

analyzing a delay between detecting the light with the light identifier and detecting the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier to determine a spatial awareness.

70. A method according to claim 69 wherein the auxiliary signal includes acoustic energy.

71. A method according to claim 55 wherein the controller is carried by a radio logic board that is separated from heat producing elements of the luminaire by a buffer distance.

72. A method according to claim 55 wherein operation of the light source is controlled by dimming the light source or moving the light source between an on position and an off position.

73. A method for detecting a condition in an environment using a luminaire connected to a network, the method comprising:

receiving data from sensors in communication with a controller, the sensors detecting the condition in the environment and generating the data in response to the conditions;

analyzing the data relating to the condition in the environment, wherein analyzing the data includes comparing the data to rules stored in the memory;

controlling a light source from which light is emittable to operate in a mode determined from the analysis of the data relating to the condition in the environment and the rules, the mode in which the light source is operable being defined by the rules;

communicating at east part of the data through the network using a network interface,

emitting an auxiliary signal with a velocity that differs from the light using an auxiliary signal emitter;

including a light identifier in the light;

including an auxiliary signal identifier in the auxiliary signal;

defining the light identifier and the auxiliary signal identifier to identify the light that correlates with the auxiliary signal, the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier being emitted substantially simultaneously, the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier being detectable by a device in the environment; and

analyzing a delay between detecting the light with the light identifier and the auxiliary signal with the auxiliary signal identifier to determine a spatial awareness;

wherein the network interface is in communication with the controller, wherein at least part of the data is transmittable by the controller using the network interface, and wherein at least part of the data is receivable by the controller using the network interface.

74. A method according to claim 73 wherein the auxiliary signal includes acoustic energy.

75. A method according to claim 73 further comprising transmitting the data from a motion detector to the controller, wherein the data relates to motion that is detected by the motion detector.

76. A method according to claim 73 wherein the light source is operable having a duty cycle controlled by the controller, the duty cycle having an active duration wherein the light source emits the light and an inactive duration wherein the light source does not emit the light;

further comprising transmitting the data from an ambient light detector to the controller, wherein the data relates to ambient light level detected, the ambient light detector detecting the ambient light level during the inactive duration of the duty cycle by the ambient light detector.

77. A method according to claim 73 further comprising transmitting data from a timer is in communication with the controller, wherein the timer transmits data to the controller regarding an amount of time elapsed relating to an event definable by the rules, the timer being includable in the controller.

78. A method according to claim 73 wherein the controller, the light source, and the sensors are included in a node that is part of a network of nodes, wherein a plurality of nodes are includable in the network of nodes, wherein data is transmittable and receivable between the nodes included in the network of nodes.

79. A method according to claim 78 wherein the node is spatially aware relative to at least one of the nodes in the network of nodes.

80. A method according to claim 73 wherein the light emitted by the light source includes a source wavelength range, wherein at least part of the light in the source wavelength range is received by a phosphorescent, fluorescent, or luminescent conversion material to be converted to a converted wavelength range to be includable in the light.

81. A method according to claim 73 further comprising manipulating an interface to define the rules.

82. A method according to claim 81 further comprising:

receiving a signal by the controller from the interface, the interface being manipulable to generate the signal; and

comparing the signal to the rules included in the memory, at least part of the rules being definable using the interface to control operation of the light source;

wherein the interface includes inputs that are manipulable to cause the signal to be sent to the controller;

wherein the signal relates to states of the inputs.

83. A method according to claim 73 wherein the controller is carried by a radio logic board that is separated from heat producing elements of the luminaire by a buffer distance that facilitates reduced attenuation of the signal.

84. A method according to claim 73 wherein operation of the light source is controlled by dimming the light source or moving the light source between an on position and an off position.