Patents Assigned to Express Imaging Systems, LLC
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Patent number: 9210759Abstract: A number of luminaires can be communicably coupled and networked. Some or all of the luminaires may be equipped with a number of sensors including motion sensors. Upon detecting motion of an object in the vicinity of a luminaire, the luminaire can increase the luminous output of the lighting subsystem in the luminaire and communicate a targeted or broadcast output signal to some or all of the remaining luminaires in the network. The output signal may variously contain data indicative of one or more parameters related to motion of the object (direction of travel, velocity, etc.) or one or more parameters related to the increased luminous output of the luminaire. Responsive to the receipt of an output signal generated by another luminaire, the luminaire may autonomously adjust the luminous output of the lighting subsystems responsive to an event detected by the other luminaire.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Patent number: 9204523Abstract: Disclosed herein is a remotely adjustable lighting system. The lighting system includes a luminaire including one or more solid-state light systems and a non-line-of-sight wireless transceiver. The output intensity of the solid-state light systems is adjustable. The non-line-of-sight transceiver in the luminaire can receive one or more non-line-of-sight wireless signals transmitted by a transceiver in a general purpose handheld computing device. Instructions and data including configuration and output intensity adjustments may be communicated between the general purpose handheld computing device and the luminaire via one or more non-line-of-sight wireless signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
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Patent number: 9185777Abstract: A luminaire comprising a solid-state light source and a photosensitive transducer each operatively coupled to a controller. The photosensitive transducer is oriented to be within an illumination path of the solid-state light source. When the solid-state light source is in an ON state in which at least some light is produced, the controller controls the solid-state light source to be in the OFF state in which no light is produced for a brief measurement period imperceptible to a human. During the measurement period the controller obtains an ambient light level measurement from the photosensitive transducer without interference from the solid-state light source, which is in the OFF state. The controller may record turn ON and turn OFF times of the solid-state light source for use in controlling the solid-state light source in various circumstances.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Patent number: 9131552Abstract: An illumination system verifies whether one or more aspects of an output signal provided by a photosensitive transducer fall within a threshold of an expected value for the aspect. The aspect may include a sunrise time, a sunset time, a dawn time, a dusk time, a solar noon time, a solar midnight time, or similar. Upon verification the illumination system uses a microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of a solid-state light source responsive to the output signal provided by the photosensitive transducer. Where verification is not possible, the illumination system uses the microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of the solid-state light source responsive to a schedule.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
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Patent number: 9125261Abstract: Apparatus and methods to regulate an input power applied to a plurality of light emitters are provided. A regulator device includes a plurality of switches and a control circuit that controls the plurality of switches. The plurality of switches selectively couple respective strings of the light emitters in series to the input power to emit light when deactivated. The control circuit may deactivate a number of the switches to couple the respective light emitters to the input power in response to a sensed operational parameter of the input power. The control circuit may adjust the number of the switches deactivated in response to a change in the sensed operational parameter of the input power. A number of the light emitters may be coupled to the input power regardless of the sensed operational parameter of the input power.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Patent number: 8987992Abstract: An illumination system correlates solar time to a clock and controls lighting or illumination based on time. The illumination system may turn ON light source(s) at a first level at a turn ON time, correlated to be around or at dusk, and turn OFF light source(s) at a turn OFF time, correlated to be around or at dawn. The illumination system may reduce a level of light output, and hence power consumption, at a time after turning ON a light source, and increases the level of light output at a time prior to turning OFF the light source. Turn ON, turn OFF, decrease and increase times may be determined based on recent levels of light or illumination in the environment, for example via average or median levels over a number of previous daily cycles. Filtering may eliminate aberrant events.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Publication number: 20150028693Abstract: A photocontrol includes a switch that consumes very low power when the switch is turned ON and when it is turned OFF. The photocontrol can provide low-power digital control signals to high-impedance inputs of control devices that control the delivery of power to load devices, such as LED drivers that control the delivery of power to arrays of LEDs. The photocontrol also can provide power signals to control devices that control the delivery of power to light sources, such as electronic transformers that control the delivery of power to fluorescent lamps. The photocontrol may include a comparator that causes the photocontrol to have switching hysteresis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Patent number: 8926138Abstract: An illumination device comprising a housing fixture, a light source, and an active heat transfer device is provided. The housing fixture includes a base adapted to be receivable in a light fixture receptacle configured to receive a gas-discharge lamp. The light source emits light with a color rendering index higher than a respective color rendering index of at least a type of gas-discharge lamp. The active heat transfer device is physically coupled to the light source and mounted to the housing fixture. The active heat transfer device receives power from a power supply to remove thermal energy from the light source.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventors: William G. Reed, John O. Renn
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Patent number: 8926139Abstract: An illumination device comprises a solid-state lighting device and a heat sink. The heat sink is configured to be attachable to a fixture for a gas-discharge lamp to retrofit existing gas-discharge fixtures. The heat sink is conductively thermally coupled to the solid-state lighting device to dissipate heat generated by the solid-state lighting device.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventors: William G. Reed, John O. Renn
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Patent number: 8922124Abstract: Disclosed herein is a remotely adjustable lighting system with security features. The lighting system includes a lamp (e.g., luminaire) which carries solid-state light sources and a sensor. The solid-state light sources emit visible light at an adjustable output intensity. The sensor is responsive to line-of-sight wireless signals, and the lamp increases and decreases the output intensity of the light sources in response to output signals of the sensor. The lamp provides security features by selectively accepting and rejecting instructions carried by the line-of-sight wireless signals to vary the output intensity of the light sources.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
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Patent number: 8901825Abstract: Illumination sources are turned ON and turned OFF in response to detected levels of illumination in an ambient environment reaching respective thresholds, which may be user set. The detection of these turn ON and turn OFF events is verified, for instance against expected events or conditions for the particular location, date and/or time. An alert or log entry may be generated if a detected event or condition appears to be invalid. For instance, if an amount of illumination in the environment is different than predicted by a threshold amount or if a time that the event occurs or is detected is different than expected or predicted by more than a threshold amount. A level of illumination may be decreased to some non-zero level after a specified time after turn ON, and increased at some specified time before turnOFF. Use of information from external sources (e.g., satellites, cell towers) may allow times to be using local time, including daylight savings if applicable.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Patent number: 8896215Abstract: An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
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Patent number: 8878440Abstract: An illumination system can provide at least a first state and a second state of a luminaire equipped with at least one lighting subsystem. In the first state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem is controlled based on the occurrence of a detected solar event or the occurrence of an expected solar event. In the second state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem forms a visually distinct pattern based on the detection of atmospheric electrical activity exceeding a defined threshold by an electrical activity sensor disposed within the luminaire. The visually distinctive luminous output can alert persons within line of sight of the luminaire of the proximity of threatening atmospheric electrical activity.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Patent number: 8872964Abstract: An illumination system and methods to control a light source are provided. An illumination system includes a light source, a two-dimensional non-Passive Infrared (non-PIR) imager, and a controller. The light source provides at least two levels of illumination. The non-PIR imager images an area and to produce image data representative of images across at least part of a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. The controller is communicatively coupled to receive the image data from the non-PIR imager and process the received image data to detect at least one ambient environmental characteristic of the area in the part of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, where the ambient environmental characteristic is indicative of a presence or imminent presence of a body in the area. The controller is also coupled to control operation of the light source based on, at least in part, detection of the ambient characteristic of the environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
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Patent number: 8810138Abstract: An illumination system correlates solar time to a clock and controls lighting or illumination based on time. The illumination system may turn ON light source(s) at a first level at a turn ON time, correlated to be around or at dusk, and turn OFF light source(s) at a turn OFF time, correlated to be around or at dawn. The illumination system may reduce a level of light output, and hence power consumption, at a time after turning ON a light source, and increases the level of light output at a time prior to turning OFF the light source. Turn ON, turn OFF, decrease and increase times may be determined based on recent levels of light or illumination in the environment, for example via average or median levels over a number of previous daily cycles. Filtering may eliminate aberrant events.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Publication number: 20140225521Abstract: A line voltage signal at a first voltage and a first current supplied by a line voltage switching device responsive to a sensed or detected event can be provided to a first node of a regulator. A portion of the line voltage signal can be passed at the first voltage through a capacitive device in the regulator and provided at a second node for return to an electrical circuit containing a load device. The remaining portion of the line voltage signal can be passed to a voltage divider comprising at least a first resistive device and a second resistive device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Publication number: 20140139116Abstract: A number of luminaires can be communicably coupled and networked. Some or all of the luminaires may be equipped with a number of sensors including motion sensors. Upon detecting motion of an object in the vicinity of a luminaire, the luminaire can increase the luminous output of the lighting subsystem in the luminaire and communicate a targeted or broadcast output signal to some or all of the remaining luminaires in the network. The output signal may variously contain data indicative of one or more parameters related to motion of the object (direction of travel, velocity, etc.) or one or more parameters related to the increased luminous output of the luminaire. Responsive to the receipt of an output signal generated by another luminaire, the luminaire may autonomously adjust the luminous output of the lighting subsystems responsive to an event detected by the other luminaire.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Publication number: 20140062341Abstract: An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
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Publication number: 20140062312Abstract: An illumination system can provide at least a first state and a second state of a luminaire equipped with at least one lighting subsystem. In the first state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem is controlled based on the occurrence of a detected solar event or the occurrence of an expected solar event. In the second state, the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem forms a visually distinct pattern based on the detection of atmospheric electrical activity exceeding a defined threshold by an electrical activity sensor disposed within the luminaire. The visually distinctive luminous output can alert persons within line of sight of the luminaire of the proximity of threatening atmospheric electrical activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLCInventor: William G. Reed
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Publication number: 20140055990Abstract: A luminaire includes one or more solid state light modules, each having one or more theft deterrent features. Each of the one or more solid state light modules can include a number of solid state light sources. The one or more solid state light modules can be physically and electrically coupled to the luminaire such that any attempt to remove the solid state light module renders the solid state light module or the solid state light sources permanently inoperable. One or more theft deterrent features may be incorporated into the luminaire to deter theft. In one instance an external power converter supplying the solid state light module can be physically secured to a power source using one or more security mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Express Imaging Systems, LLCInventor: William G. Reed