Integration of LED lighting with building controls

• US 9,101,026 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2013
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ilumisys Incorporated (Altair Engineering Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ivey, John, Simon, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASENGE, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US14/064,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20140055043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 700/275, 700/276, 700/277, 700/295, 700/296, 700/297, 315/291, 315/307, 315/308, 315/315, 362/234, 362/253, 362/276, 340/815.45
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/272 Details of end parts, i.e. the parts that connect the light source to a fitting; Arrangement of components within end parts F21K9/278 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/278 Arrangement or mounting of circuit elements integrated in the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/02 combined with lighting fixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/34 Heater, e.g. gas burner, electric air heater
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/007 with forced flow using ducting systems F24F7/06
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/04 with ducting systems , e.g. by double walls; with natural circulation F24F7/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/357 specially adapted for retrofit LED light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3578 : Emulating the electrical or functional characteristics of discharge lamps
• 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 47/12 : by detecting audible sound
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 : by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 : via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 : Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

An LED-based light can be installed in a conventional light fixture. The LED-based light can include a sensor operable to output a first signal indicative of whether an area of one or more of the rooms is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state, and the LED-based light can also include an LED controller operable to control at least one LED in the light in response to the first signal. Additionally, the LED-based light can include a transmitter operable to output a second signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state to a building environment regulator.

Claims

1. A system for use in conjunction with a conventional light fixture that is configured to receive a standardized electrical connector of a conventional light, the system comprising:

a sensor operable to output a first signal indicative of whether an area in a building is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state;

an LED-based light including;

at least one LED,

an LED controller operable to receive the first signal and control the at least one LED in response to the first signal,

a transmitter operable to transmit a second signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state,

a housing for the at least one LED, the LED controller and the transmitter, and

at least one electrical connector disposed at an end of the housing, the electrical connector compatible with the conventional light fixture; and

a regulator controller remote from the LED-based light and operable to receive the second signal and control an environmental condition in the building other than artificial light in response to the second signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED, the LED controller and the transmitter are in electrical communication with the at least one electrical connector.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the LED-based light further includes a circuit board, and wherein the at least one LED, the LED controller, and the transmitter are mounted on the circuit board and in electrical communication therewith.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the circuit board is in electrical communication with the at least one electrical connector.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical connector includes a pair of bi-pin connectors configured for engagement with a standard fluorescent tube receiving fixture.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects one or more of motion and sound.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal is at least partially based on at least one of a time of day and a day of the week.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is included in the LED-based light.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental condition includes at least one of a temperature setting, an airflow setting, a humidity setting, or a brightness.

10. A system for controlling an environmental condition, comprising:

an LED-based light configured for replacing a conventional light in a light fixture, the LED-based light including;

at least one LED,

a sensor operable to output a signal indicative of whether an area surrounding the LED-based light is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state, and

a transmitter in communication with the sensor and operable to transmit the signal,

a housing for the at least one LED, the sensor and the transmitter, and

at least one electrical connector disposed at an end of the housing, the electrical connector compatible with the conventional light fixture; and

a regulator controller remote from the LED-based light and in communication with the transmitter, the regulator controller operable to control an environmental condition in the area other than artificial light based on the signal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one LED, the sensor and the transmitter are in electrical communication with the at least one electrical connector.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the LED-based light further includes a circuit board, and wherein the at least one LED, the sensor and the transmitter are mounted on the circuit board and in electrical communication therewith.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the circuit board is in electrical communication with the at least one electrical connector.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrical connector includes a pair of bi-pin connectors configured for engagement with a standard fluorescent tube receiving fixture.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the environmental condition is an air quality consideration.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor detects one or more of motion and sound.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the signal is at least partially based on at least one of a time of day and a day of the week.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the environmental condition includes at least one of a temperature setting, an airflow setting, a humidity setting, or a brightness.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the LED-based light further includes an LED controller in communication with the at least one LED and the sensor, the LED controller operable to control the at least one LED in response to the first signal.