Integration of LED lighting with building controls

• US 9,585,216 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2015
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• 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:
  US14/814,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20150338118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 700/275, 700/276
• 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 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 signal. Additionally, the LED-based light can include a transmitter operable to output the 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 with a conventional light fixture that is configured to receive at least one standardized electrical connector, the system comprising:

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

an LED-based light that provides artificial light to the area, the LED-based light including;

the at least one standardized electrical connector, wherein the least one standardized electrical connector is compatible with the conventional light fixture;

at least one LED;

an LED controller operable to control the at least one LED in response to the signal;

a transmitter operable to transmit the signal; and

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

wherein the housing is connected to the at least one standardized electrical connector; and

an environment regulator remote from the LED-based light, operable to receive the transmitted signal and control a temperature of the area in response to the transmitted signal.

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

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

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the environment regulator is operable to control the temperature of the area in response to the transmitted signal by controlling an HVAC system of the building.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the environment regulator is operable to control the temperature of the area in response to the transmitted signal by controlling an amount of natural light allowed through windows of the building in the area.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the LED-based light further comprises a receiver that receives an auxiliary signal generated from the environment regulator indicative of a controlled change in natural light due to the temperature control, wherein the LED controller is operable to control the at least one LED in response to the auxiliary signal.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the environment regulator is operable to control the amount of natural light by controlling window shades.

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

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

10. 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 standardized electrical connector.

11. 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.

12. A method for controlling the temperature of the area in the building using the LED-based light according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving, by the LED controller, the signal indicative of whether the area in the building is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state;

controlling, by the LED controller, the at least one LED in response to the signal;

transmitting, by the transmitter, the signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state to the environment regulator remote from the LED-based light; and

controlling, by the environment regulator, the temperature of the area in the building in response to the transmitted signal.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

detecting whether the area in the building is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state by detecting one or more of motion and sound.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

deriving the signal at least partially based on at least one of a time of day, a day of the week and a time of year.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein controlling the temperature with the environment regulator comprises controlling an HVAC system of the building.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein controlling the temperature of the area with the environment regulator in response to the transmitted signal comprises controlling an amount of natural light allowed through windows of the building in the area.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the LED-based light further comprises a receiver that receives an auxiliary signal generated from the environment regulator indicative of a controlled change in natural light due to the temperature control, the method further comprising:

controlling, with the LED controller, the at least one LED in response to the auxiliary signal.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein controlling the amount of natural light comprises controlling window shades.

19. The system of claim 5, wherein the LED controller decreases an output of the at least one LED in response to an increase in the natural light in the area and increases the output of the at least one LED in response to a decrease in the natural light in the area at least when the building is occupied.

20. A system for use with a conventional light fixture that is configured to receive at least one standardized electrical connector, the system comprising:

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

an LED-based light that provides artificial light to the area, the LED-based light including;

the at least one standardized electrical connector, wherein the at least one standardized electric connector is compatible with the conventional light fixture;

at least one LED;

an LED controller operable to control the at least one LED in response to the signal;

a transmitter operable to transmit the signal; and

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

wherein the housing is connected to the at least one standardized electrical connector; and

an environment regulator remote from the LED-based light, operable to receive the transmitted signal and control a temperature of the area in response to the transmitted signal, wherein the LED controller is further operable to adjust an output of the at least one LED based on natural light in the area.