Lighting apparatus and methods for controlling lighting apparatus using ambient light levels
First Claim
1. A lighting apparatus comprising:
- one or more light radiating devices operable to be activated and deactivated;
a light detection apparatus operable to sense light levels local to the lighting apparatus; and
a control apparatus operable to sample a light level using the light detection apparatus at a plurality of sampling times during which the light radiating devices are deactivated, the plurality of sampling times occurring over a survey time period;
to generate an average of the light levels sampled over the survey time period; and
to adjust a luminous intensity for the light radiating devices based at least partially upon the average of the light levels sampled over the survey time period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Lighting apparatus and methods for controlling lighting apparatus using ambient light levels are disclosed. A controller is used to activate and deactivate one or more light radiating devices within a duty cycle. The controller uses a light detection apparatus to sample ambient light levels at a plurality of sampling times during which the light radiating devices are deactivated. The controller determines an average for the light levels sampled over a survey time period, thus generating an averaged ambient light level over the survey time period. The controller adjusts an intensity of the light radiating devices based at least partially upon the averaged ambient light level. The controller may generate a target light level using the averaged ambient light level over the survey time period and a desired light level and, over an adjustment time period, incrementally adjust the intensity of the light radiating devices towards the target light level.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A lighting apparatus comprising:
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one or more light radiating devices operable to be activated and deactivated; a light detection apparatus operable to sense light levels local to the lighting apparatus; and a control apparatus operable to sample a light level using the light detection apparatus at a plurality of sampling times during which the light radiating devices are deactivated, the plurality of sampling times occurring over a survey time period;
to generate an average of the light levels sampled over the survey time period; and
to adjust a luminous intensity for the light radiating devices based at least partially upon the average of the light levels sampled over the survey time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for adjusting a luminous intensity of a lighting apparatus, the lighting apparatus comprising one or more light radiating devices operable to be activated and deactivated, the method comprising:
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sampling a light level at a plurality of sampling times during which the light radiating devices are deactivated, the plurality of sampling times occurring over a survey time period; generating an average of the light levels sampled over the survey time period; and adjusting a luminous intensity for the light radiating devices based at least partially upon the average of the light levels sampled over the survey time period.
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26. A control apparatus operable to control a lighting apparatus comprising one or more light radiating devices operable to be activated and deactivated;
- wherein the control apparatus is operable;
to sample a light level at a plurality of sampling times during which the light radiating devices are deactivated, the plurality of sampling times occurring over a survey time period; to generate an average of the light levels sampled over the survey time period; and to adjust a luminous intensity for the light radiating devices based at least partially upon the average of the light levels sampled over the survey time period.
- wherein the control apparatus is operable;
Specification