Integration of LED lighting with building controls

• US 10,973,094 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2019
• Issued: 04/06/2021
• 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:
  US16/450,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20190313493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• 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 comprising:

a sensor configured, during operation, to output a first signal indicative of an occupational state of an area in a building;

an LED-based light configured, during operation, to provide artificial light to the area, the LED-based light including;

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

at least one LED,

an LED controller configured, during operation, to control the at least one LED in response to the first signal,

a transmitter configured, during operation, to transmit, based on the first signal, a second signal to an environmental regulator configured to control a quality of air in the area in response to the second signal, and

a housing enclosing the at least one LED, the LED controller, and the transmitter, wherein the housing is connected to the at least one standardized electrical connector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is remote from the LED-based light.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing encloses the sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental regulator is remote from the LED-based light.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal indicates a location of the area in the building.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional sensors, wherein each additional sensor is configured, during operation, to output a respective additional signal indicative of a respective occupational state of a respective additional area in the building.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the transmitter is configured, during operation, to transmit the second signal based further on the one or more additional signals.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein controlling the quality of air in the area comprises controlling a flow of air between the building and an environment surrounding the building.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein controlling the flow of air between the building and the environment surrounding the building comprises controlling the flow of air using an HVAC system.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the HVAC system comprises at least one of a heater, an air conditioner, a fan, a thermostat, or ductwork.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein controlling the flow of air between the building and the environment surrounding the building comprises controlling one or more barriers between the building and the environment surrounding the building.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more barriers comprise at least one of a vent, a window, or a skylight.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein controlling the quality of air in the area comprises regulating a temperature and/or a humidity of the area.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein controlling the quality of air in the area comprises controlling the quality of air in two or more rooms in the building.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the LED-based light is a replacement bulb comprising a connector for installing the replacement bulb in a conventional light fixture.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the replacement bulb is a replacement for a standard fluorescent tube.