Lighting devices with sensors for detecting one or more external conditions and networked system using such devices
First Claim
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1. A lighting device, comprising:
- a light source;
at least two sensor couplings, each sensor coupling being configured to present a standardized sensor connection interface, the standardized connection interface being compatible with a plurality of different types of sensors;
a first sensor connected to the standardized connection interface of a first of the sensor couplings, the first sensor being of a first one of the types and located so as to sense a first one of a plurality of conditions external to the lighting device not directly related to operation of the lighting device, the first sensor being configured to output a first signal responsive to the first sensed condition via the standardized connection interface of the first sensor coupling;
a second sensor connected to the standardized connection interface of a second of the sensor couplings, the second sensor being of a second one of the types different from the first type and located so as to sense a second one of the conditions external to the lighting device not directly related to operation of the lighting device, the second sensor being configured to output a second signal responsive to the first sensed condition via the standardized connection interface of the second sensor coupling;
a processor coupled to the sensor couplings for processing data responsive to the signals from the sensors;
a memory accessible to the processor;
programming corresponding at least in part to the first type of the sensor and to the second type of the sensor, stored in the memory for execution by the processor, for controlling at least one function of the processor responsive to the conditions sensed by the sensors; and
a communication interface accessible by the processor, configured to enable the processor to communicate information resulting from the at least one function of the processor responsive to the conditions sensed by the sensors through a communications network.
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Abstract
Exemplary lighting devices have sensors, intelligence in the form of programmed processors and communication capabilities. Such a device is configured to monitor one or more conditions external to a lighting device not directly related to operational performance of the respective lighting device. One or more such devices can work in a networked system, to support a variety of applications separate and in addition to the lighting related functions of the devices(s).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lighting device, comprising:
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a light source; at least two sensor couplings, each sensor coupling being configured to present a standardized sensor connection interface, the standardized connection interface being compatible with a plurality of different types of sensors; a first sensor connected to the standardized connection interface of a first of the sensor couplings, the first sensor being of a first one of the types and located so as to sense a first one of a plurality of conditions external to the lighting device not directly related to operation of the lighting device, the first sensor being configured to output a first signal responsive to the first sensed condition via the standardized connection interface of the first sensor coupling; a second sensor connected to the standardized connection interface of a second of the sensor couplings, the second sensor being of a second one of the types different from the first type and located so as to sense a second one of the conditions external to the lighting device not directly related to operation of the lighting device, the second sensor being configured to output a second signal responsive to the first sensed condition via the standardized connection interface of the second sensor coupling; a processor coupled to the sensor couplings for processing data responsive to the signals from the sensors; a memory accessible to the processor; programming corresponding at least in part to the first type of the sensor and to the second type of the sensor, stored in the memory for execution by the processor, for controlling at least one function of the processor responsive to the conditions sensed by the sensors; and a communication interface accessible by the processor, configured to enable the processor to communicate information resulting from the at least one function of the processor responsive to the conditions sensed by the sensors through a communications network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for use with a light source, the apparatus comprising:
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at least two sensor couplings, each sensor coupling being configured to present a standardized sensor connection interface, the standardized connection interface being compatible with a plurality of different types of sensors; a first sensor connected to the standardized connection interface of a first of the sensor couplings, the first sensor being of a first one of the types and located so as to sense a first one of a plurality of conditions not directly related to operation of the light source, the first sensor being configured to output a first signal responsive to the first sensed condition via the standardized connection interface of the first sensor coupling; a second sensor connected to the standardized connection interface of a second of the sensor couplings, the second sensor being of a second one of the types different from the first type and located so as to sense a second one of the conditions not directly related to operation of the light source, the second sensor being configured to output a second signal responsive to the first sensed condition via the standardized connection interface of the second sensor coupling; a processor coupled to the sensor couplings for processing data responsive to the signals from the sensors; a memory accessible to the processor; programming corresponding at least in part to the first type of the sensor and to the second type of the sensor, stored in the memory for execution by the processor, for controlling at least one function of the processor responsive to the conditions sensed by the sensors; and a communication interface accessible by the processor, configured to enable the processor to communicate information resulting from the at least one function of the processor responsive to the conditions sensed by the sensors through a communications network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus comprising:
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a sensor coupling, configured to present a sensor connection interface standardized across at least a plurality of apparatuses, the standardized connection interface being compatible with a plurality of different types of sensors; a sensor connected to the standardized connection interface of the sensor coupling, the sensor being of one of the types and located so as to sense one of a plurality of conditions not directly related to operational performance of a light source associated with the apparatus, the sensor being configured to output a signal responsive to the one sensed condition via the standardized connection interface of the sensor coupling; a processor coupled to the sensor coupling for processing data responsive to the signal from the sensor; a memory accessible to the processor; a program corresponding at least in part to the one type of the sensor, stored in the memory for execution by the processor, for controlling at least one function of the processor responsive to the condition sensed by the sensor and for causing the processor to implement a standardized application programming interface with respect to the at least one function; and a communication interface accessible by the processor, configured to enable the processor to communicate information resulting from the at least one function of the processor responsive to the condition sensed by the sensor through a communications network in a manner conforming to the standardized application programming interface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification