Methods and apparatus for providing modular functionality in a lighting assembly

• US 9,500,350 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2013
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
• Original Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
• Inventors: McGuire, Kenneth Stephen, Steinhardt, Mark John, Bischoff, Corey Michael, Sawicki, Edward Mack, Hasenoehrl, Erik John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hines, Anne
• Application Number:
  US14/062,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20140049971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/045 the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0464 the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0471 the sensor detecting the proximity, the presence or the movement of an object or a person
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0485 the sensor sensing the physical interaction between a user and certain areas located on the lighting device, e.g. a touch sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/00 Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits

Abstract

A lighting assembly includes a base assembly configured to fit into a conventional light bulb socket. A separate bulb assembly is configured to interface with the base assembly, making the bulb and base assemblies selectively separable from one another. In some instances, a module configured to be connected to the base assembly provides a convenient means for adding or supplementing functionality to the lighting assembly. At least in some cases, the module is configured to take the place of the bulb assembly on the base assembly, and is configured to provide a separate interface to which the bulb assembly is coupled, such that the module is disposed intermediate the base assembly and the bulb assembly. In some instances, functionality associated with a lighting element of the lighting assembly is included in the base assembly or the bulb assembly.

Claims

1. A lighting assembly comprising:

a base comprising a first interface and a second interface, the first interface operable to form an electrical and mechanical connection with a corresponding socket, the base operable to receive a first electrical signal from the socket via the first interface and to provide a second electrical signal at the second interface;

a lighting element comprising at least one flexible, planar illuminated sheet and a third interface, the third interface adapted to couple the lighting element to the base electrically and mechanically, the lighting element selectively detachable from the base and operable to receive the second electrical signal from the base when coupled to the base via the second and third interfaces, the at least one flexible, planar illuminated sheet comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, the at least one flexible, planar illuminated sheet curved or folded into at least one shape selected from the group consisting of;

cylindrical, conical, frustoconical, polyhedral, fan-folded, spiral, and combinations thereof; and

a detachable module adapted to selectively add one or more features to the lighting assembly, the module including a fourth interface operable to mechanically and electrically couple the detachable module to the base.

2. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fourth interface cooperates with the second interface to mechanically and electrically couple the detachable module to the base.

3. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a fifth interface on the detachable module for mechanically and electrically coupling the module to the lighting element.

4. A lighting assembly according to claim 3, wherein the detachable module is disk-shaped and disposed intermediate the base and the lighting element such that the fourth interface couples to the second interface and the fifth interface couples to the third interface.

5. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a sixth interface disposed in the base, wherein the fourth interface couples to the sixth interface.

6. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module comprises a circuit operable to implement a timer function when the detachable module is coupled to the base.

7. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module comprises a circuit operable to implement a dimmer function when the module is coupled to the base.

8. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module operates to make the lighting assembly responsive to a communication signal received via the first interface and communicated to the detachable module.

9. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module is operable to make the lighting assembly responsive to a wireless signal.

10. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module is adapted to implement a home automation protocol.

11. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module is operable to transmit a command to one or more other lighting assemblies.

12. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module comprises a sensor operable to sense one of the group consisting of sound, light, and motion.

13. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module is adapted to activate a feature implemented by the base.

14. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second detachable module including a fifth interface operable to mechanically and electrically couple the second detachable module to the base.

15. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein a coupled pair of the interfaces comprises a magnet.

16. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a microprocessor.

17. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module comprises a microprocessor.

18. A lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second interface comprises an inductive coupling mechanism.

19. A lighting assembly for use in a lighting assembly, the lighting assembly comprising:

a base comprising a first interface operable to form an electrical and mechanical connection with a corresponding socket and to receive from the socket a first electrical signal, a second interface operable to couple the base electrically and mechanically to a third interface of a lighting element and to provide to the lighting element a second electrical signal, and a module interface for selectively coupling the base electrically and mechanically to a detachable module operable to add or enable a feature of the lighting assembly when coupled to the base; and

a lighting element comprising at least one flexible, planar illuminated sheet and the third interface, the third interface adapted to couple the lighting element to the base electrically and mechanically, the lighting element selectively detachable from the base and operable to receive the second electrical signal from the base when coupled to the base via the second and third interfaces, the at least one flexible, planar illuminated sheet comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, the at least one flexible, planar illuminated sheet curved or folded into at least one shape selected from the group consisting of;

cylindrical, conical, frustoconical, polyhedral, fan-folded, spiral, and combinations thereof.

20. A lighting assembly comprising:

a base;

a detachable module removably coupled to the base, the detachable module comprising one or more circuits selected from the group consisting of;

a timer circuit, a dimmer circuit, a receiver circuit, a transmitter circuit, an expansion circuit, a sensor circuit, and combinations thereof; and

a lighting element comprising at least one flexible, planar illuminated sheet comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, the at least one flexible, planar illuminated sheet curved or folded into at least one shape selected from the group consisting of;

cylindrical, conical, frustoconical, polyhedral, fan-folded, spiral, and combinations thereof.