SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING USE OF A LAMP

• US 20140164195A1
• Filed: 12/06/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Consumer Lighting, LLC (d/b/a GE Lighting) (Savant Systems, LLC)
• Original Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC (Savant Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: Kuenzler, Glenn Howard
• Granted Patent: US 9,767,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/17 Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring and tracking usage of a lamp and, in one example, assigning a monetary value that can be billed to an end user are provided. Examples of the lamps can communicate wirelessly in order to receive and to transmit information related to initialization, authorization, electrical power consumption monitoring, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the lamp transmits data a usage parameter to a service provider via a network. The service provider can aggregate the data and, in one example, assign a usage fee that describes a monetary value based on the usage parameter and generate an output that includes that usage fee.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring use of a lamp, said device comprising:

a processor,

a memory coupled with the processor, and

a set of executable instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instruction comprising instructions for;

receiving a signal containing data that defines a usage parameter for the lamp;

calculating a lamp usage fee that relates the usage parameter to a first monetary value; and

generating an output comprising the lamp usage fee, wherein the executable instructions further comprise instructions for transmitting an authorization code to the lamp, wherein the authorization code contains instructions that cause the lamp to change from a first operating condition to a second operating condition is different from the first operating condition.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the output comprises a lamp ownership fee that defines a second monetary value.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein second monetary value reflects one or more costs associated with manufacture of the lamp.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the usage parameter comprises an amount of electrical power consumed by the lamp.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the usage parameter comprises an amount of time that the lamp is energized.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the lamp generates light in the second operating condition.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions comprises instructions for verifying an identification code from the lamp.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the output comprises an electronic message that displays the usage fee on a display.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the output comprises instructions to generate a printed mailing for delivery to a user.

6. (canceled)

11. A system, comprising:

a lamp comprising a light source; and

a monitoring device for monitoring use of the lamp, said monitoring device comprising a processor, a memory coupled with the processor, and a set of executable instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instruction comprising instructions for;

receiving a first signal containing an identification code for the lamp;

transmitting a second signal in response to the first signal, the second signal containing an authorization code, wherein the lamp changes from a first operating condition to a second operating condition in response to the authorization code;

receiving a third signal containing data that defines a usage parameter for the lamp in the second operating condition, wherein the usage parameter describes the amount of time the lamp is generating light;

calculating a lamp usage fee that relates the usage parameter to a first monetary value; and

generating an output comprising the lamp usage fee.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of executable instructions further comprises instructions for associating the identification code for the lamp with a user account.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the output comprises a lamp ownership fee that defines a second monetary value that reflects one or more costs associated with manufacture of the lamp.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the lamp comprises a signal indicator, and wherein the signal indicator has a first operation that identifies when the lamp is waiting for the authorization code.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the lamp comprises a timer configured to measure an amount of time the lamp is generating light.

15. (canceled)

17. A method for monitoring use of a lamp, said method comprising:

receiving a signal containing data that defines a usage parameter for the lamp;

calculating a lamp usage fee that relates the usage parameter to a first monetary value; and

generating an output comprising the lamp usage fee,

wherein the step for calculating a lamp usage fee utilizes a device comprising a processor and memory,

the method further comprising transmitting an authorization code to the lamp, wherein the authorization code contains instructions that cause the lamp to change from a first operating condition to a second operating condition that is different from the first operating condition.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising verifying the identification code for the lamp and associating the identification code for the lamp with a user account.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the user account includes information identifying an end user, and wherein the information comprises information selected from a group comprising a name of the user, an address of the user, a telephone number of the end user, an electronic mailing address for the end user, a name for an electrical power supplier that provides electrical power to a location at which the lamp is located, an account number belonging to the end user for provision of electrical power to the end user by the electrical power supplier, an address for the electrical power supplier, a banking institution used by the end user, a routing number for the banking institution used by the end user, and any combination thereof.

18. (canceled)