Smart light with power backup

• US 8,770,771 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2011
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patent Zero, LLC
• Original Assignee: Dominic Joseph Preta, Hans Christer Preta, Isaiah Monty Simmons, Joseph Frank Preta, William Monty Simmons
• Inventors: Preta, Hans Christer, Simmons, Isaiah Monty, Simmons, William Monty, Preta, Joseph Frank, Preta, Dominic Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US13/271,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20120098655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 362/20, 362/85, 362/253, 362/234, 362/546, 362/471, 362485-488, 362/464, 362/466, 340/438, 340/431, 340/468, 340/6.1, 340/539.15
• US Class Current: 362/20
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/005 for lighting devices, e.g. indicating if lamps are burning or not
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/233 specially adapted for generating a spot light distribution, e.g. for substitution of reflector lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0492 the sensor detecting a change in orientation, a movement or an acceleration of the lighting device, e.g. a tilt switch
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• 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 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

The disclosed inventions comprise a device that may be mechanically and electrically associated with a typical lighting fixture found in a building or home, has low power consumption, provide a typical lighting when such lighting fixture is providing power to the device and comprises a battery backup to provide an emergency lighting feature when the power is out. The device may further be removed from the lighting fixture and used as a typical flashlight. The device may further be electrically and remotely associated with devices such as cell phones and systems such as alarm systems to provide emergency services.

Claims

1. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system, said smart lighting element comprising:

a housing defining a power input and a lighting output wherein said power input is configured for being electrically and mechanically associated with a lighting fixture configured to provide a main power to said power input;

a power converting element defining a converter-input and a converter-output wherein said power converting element is disposed at least partially inside said housing and wherein said converter-input is electrically associated with said power input and wherein said power converting element is configured for converting said main power to a secondary power;

a backup power source configured for supplying a backup-power;

a processing device electrically associated with said power converting element and said backup power source wherein said processing device is configured to be powered by at least one of said secondary power and said backup-power;

a control switch electrically associated with said processing device, said control switch defining at least one switch-input and at least one switch output wherein said at least one switch-input is electrically associated with at least one of (a) said power converting element and (b) said backup power source and wherein said control switch is further configured to selectively provide light-power to said at least one switch-output wherein said light-power is defined by at least one of said secondary power and said backup power;

a light source electrically associated with said at least one switch-output wherein said light source is configured to provide a lighting function at said lighting output when receiving said light-power from said control switch;

a communication facilitator electrically associated with at least one antenna wherein said communication facilitator comprises a receiver and wherein said communication facilitator is one of (a) integral to said processing device and (b) electrically associated with said processing device wherein said processing device is configured to use said receiver to detect a remote-signal transmitted by a remote device; and

wherein said processing device is configured to control the output of said control switch based at least in part on said remote-signal.

2. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 1, wherein said housing defines light bulb shape and wherein said power input defines a screw fitting compatible with domestic lighting fixtures.

3. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 2, further comprising a filter defining a filter input and a filter output wherein the filter input is electrically associated with said main power and the filter output is electrically associated with said processing device and wherein said filter is configured for blocking alternating current and at least one of (a) passing a direct current and (b) supplying a DC voltage and wherein said backup power source is a rechargeable battery electrically associated with a converter output configured to provide a charging current to said battery.

4. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 3, wherein said processing device is configured to enter main power failure mode when at least one of a DC current or a DC voltage is detected at said filter output and wherein said main power failure mode includes powering said light source with said backup power.

5. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 1, wherein said smart lighting element may be removed from said lighting fixture to provide a flashlight function.

6. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 5, further comprising a mechanical switching device electrically disposed between said at least one switch-output and said light source and suitably configured to provide an on state that allows power to be transferred to said light source and an off state that prevents power transfer to said light source.

7. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 1, wherein said communication facilitator further comprises a transmitter and wherein said processing device is configured to use said communication facilitator to wirelessly communicate with at least one of a remote device and a remote system.

8. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 7, wherein said remote device is a communication device carried by the user.

9. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 7, wherein said communication device is a cellular telephone.

10. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 7, wherein said remote system is an alarm system.

11. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 8, further comprising:

at least two sensors selected from the group of sensors consisting of;

(a) a smoke sensor;

(b) a CO2 sensor;

(c) a motion sensor;

(d) a light sensor;

(e) a GPS sensor; and

(f) a power fail sensor; and

wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) defining a plurality of colors including at least one red-LED that emits red light, at least one green-LED that emits green light and at least one blue-LED that emits blue light.

12. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 11, wherein said smart lighting element further comprises and alert signal button configured to generate an alert signal when activated.

13. A smart lighting element comprising a backup power system as in claim 12, wherein said processing device is further configured to perform at least one of (a) generate and transmit an alarm signal, (b) generate and transmit an alarm signal that instructs said communication device to perform a predefined routine.

14. A smart light bulb comprising:

a housing defining a power input and a lighting output wherein said power input is configured for being electrically associated with a lighting fixture configured to provide a main power to said power input;

a light source configured to provide a lighting function at said lighting output when receiving power, said light source comprising at least one light-emitter;

a converter element defining a converter-input and at least one converter-output wherein said converter element is disposed at least partially inside said housing and wherein said converter-input is electrically associated with said power input and wherein said power converting element is configured for converting said main power to at least one secondary power provided to said at least one converter-output;

a processing device electrically associated with said power converting element;

a power-controller that is one of (a) integral to said processing device, (b) integral to said converter element, and (c) electrically associated with said processing device and said converter element;

wherein said power-controller is configured to selectively transfer power to said at least one light emitter in response to a light-control-signal;

a communication-facilitator electrically associated with an antenna and said processing device and wherein said communication-facilitator comprises a receiver and wherein said processing device is configured to use said receiver to detect a remote-signal transmitted by a remote device;

a backup power source that is one of (a) disposed at least partially inside said housing; and

(b) mechanically associated with said housing, wherein said backup power source is electrically associated with at least one of (a) said processing device and (b) said power-controller, and wherein said processing device is further configure to selectively actuate said power-controller to transfer said backup power to said at least one light emitter when there is no main power being supplied to said power input; and

wherein said processing device is configured to generate said light-control-signal based at least in part on said remote-signal.

15. A smart light bulb as in claim 14, wherein said power-controller is at least one of (a) an electronically actuated switch and (b) a mechanically actuated switch.

16. A smart light bulb as in claim 14, wherein said communication-facilitator further comprises a transmitter.

17. A smart light bulb as in claim 16, wherein said remote device is one of (a) a cellular phone and (b) a second smart light bulb and wherein said power input defines a standard Edison fitting configured for being associated with a standard domestic light fixture.

18. A smart light bulb as in claim 17, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) defining a plurality of colors including at least one red-LED that emits red light, at least one green-LED that emits green light, and at least one blue-LED that emits blue light and wherein said processing device is configured to generate light-control-signals that selectively activates at least two of said red-LED, said green-LED, and said blue-LED.

19. A smart light bulb comprising:

a housing defining a power input and a lighting output wherein said power input is configured for being electrically associated with a lighting fixture configured to provide a main power to said power input;

a light source configured to provide a lighting function at said lighting output when receiving power, said light source comprising at least one light-emitter;

a converter element defining a converter-input and at least one converter-output wherein said converter element is disposed at least partially inside said housing and wherein said converter-input is electrically associated with said power input and wherein said power converting element is configured for converting said main power to at least one secondary power provided to said at least one converter-output;

a processing device electrically associated with said power converting element;

a power-controller that is one of (a) integral to said processing device, (b) integral to said converter element, and (c) electrically associated with said processing device and said converter element;

wherein said power-controller is configured to selectively transfer power to said at least one light emitter in response to a light-control-signal;

a backup power source that is one of (a) disposed at least partially inside said housing; and

(b) mechanically associated with said housing, wherein said backup power source is electrically associated with at least one of (a) said processing device and (b) said power-controller, and wherein said processing device is further configure to selectively actuate said power-controller to transfer said backup power to said at least one light emitter when there is no main power being supplied to said power input; and

wherein said processing device is configured to generate said light-control-signal based at least in part on the status of said main power.

20. A smart light bulb as in claim 19, wherein said processing device detects when said main power is not being provided and associates said backup power to said at least one light emitter to maintain a lighting function for a predefined time period thereby defining a turnoff delay period.