Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for providing lighting or illumination systems having drive circuits that employ a magnetic amplifier (“mag-amp”) and one or more feedback circuits to form a power converter that powers solid-state light sources (e.g., LEDs). The magnetic amplifier includes one or more magnetic cores which provides a controllable reluctance for magnetic flux. The magnetic amplifier includes one or more power windings which receive energy from an alternating current (AC) supply (e.g., AC mains) and delivers rectified AC current as direct current (DC) to one or more solid-state light sources. The magnetic amplifier includes one or more control windings coupled to a DC control source. The drive circuit may have two or more rectifiers (e.g., solid-state rectifiers) to provide a direct current to drive the solid-state light sources and also to isolate the one or more control windings from interference from the magnetic flux of the one or more power windings.

Abstract: 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 turn OFF. Use of information from external sources (e.g., satellites, cell towers) may allow times to be using local time, including daylight savings if applicable.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Illumination systems with selectively adjustable illumination patterns which reduce the need for a utility or luminaire distributer to stock luminaires with different illumination patterns and reduce the need for pre-planning installations. Implementations may allow scheduled dimming of luminaires, dimming in defined physical directions and scheduled adjustment of light patterns. The efficiency and/or color contrast of a luminaire may be improved by using wavelength shifting material, such as a phosphor, to absorb less desired wavelengths and transmit more desired wavelengths. A transmissive filter may reflect desired wavelengths such as red and green, while passing less desired wavelengths (e.g., blue) toward the wavelength shifting material which emits such as light of more desirable wavelengths.

Abstract: An illumination system reduces 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. A control subsystem can determine when to increase the level of light based on a predicted time when the light source will be turned OFF. The control subsystem may determine an average or median length of time that the light source has been turned on for a number of recent daily cycles. A control subsystem may be an integral part of a luminaire or may be a retrofit.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for providing centralized control of area lighting hours of illumination. An illumination system includes a central control system operatively coupled to a plurality of luminaires through a power-line power distribution system. The central control system issues illumination commands to the plurality of luminaires through the power-line power distribution system. The central control system may generate commands directed to all luminaires in an illumination system, or to one or more subsets of luminaires in the lamination system. The central control system may sequentially turn on luminaires in the illumination system to reduce power surges that would otherwise occur.

Abstract: Photocontrol apparatus that controls a luminaire or other load such that the luminaire is switched on during nighttime hours and off during the daytime. The photocontrol consumes only microwatts of power in either the ON or the OFF state, unlike traditional relay- or triac-based photocontrols. The photocontrol does not require a voltage generating photo sensor to generate power for the photocontrol. A solar cell, semiconductor photo diode or photo diode string, cadmium sulfide cell, semiconductor ambient light sensor, etc., may be used as the sensor element. The photocontrol switches power to the load at the zero-crossing of an AC input voltage, which reduces inrush current and the switching currents caused by traditional photocontrols which may switch at any point on the AC input voltage waveform.

Abstract: 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 may provide 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 object in the area of a defined type of object. 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. Alternatively, one or more components of a system may be used to monitor traffic, with or without active illumination.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for providing lighting or illumination systems having drive circuits that employ a magnetic amplifier (“mag-amp”) and one or more feedback circuits to form a power converter that powers solid-state light sources (e.g., LEDs). The magnetic amplifier includes one or more magnetic cores which provides a controllable reluctance for magnetic flux. The magnetic amplifier includes one or more power windings which receive energy from an alternating current (AC) supply (e.g., AC mains) and delivers rectified AC current as direct current (DC) to one or more solid-state light sources. The magnetic amplifier includes one or more control windings coupled to a DC control source. The drive circuit may have two or more rectifiers (e.g., solid-state rectifiers) to provide a direct current to drive the solid-state light sources and also to isolate the one or more control windings from interference from the magnetic flux of the one or more power windings.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Photocontrol apparatus that controls a luminaire or other load such that the luminaire is switched on during nighttime hours and off during the daytime. The photocontrol generates a micro-amp power supply using the voltage generated across a high value resistor in series with an alternating current (AC) power line. The photocontrol consumes only microwatts of power in either the ON or the OFF state, unlike traditional relay- or triac-based photocontrols. The photocontrol does not require a voltage generating photo sensor to generate power for the photocontrol. A solar cell, semiconductor photo diode or photo diode string, cadmium sulfide cell, semiconductor ambient light sensor, etc., may be used as the sensor element.

Abstract: Photocontrol apparatus that controls a luminaire or other load such that the luminaire is switched on during nighttime hours and off during the daytime. The photocontrol generates a micro-amp power supply using the voltage generated across a high value resistor in series with an alternating current (AC) power line. The photocontrol consumes only microwatts of power in either the ON or the OFF state, unlike traditional relay- or triac-based photocontrols. The photocontrol does not require a voltage generating photo sensor to generate power for the photocontrol. A solar cell, semiconductor photo diode or photo diode string, cadmium sulfide cell, semiconductor ambient light sensor, etc., may be used as the sensor element.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for providing centralized control of area lighting hours of illumination. An area illumination system includes a central control system operatively coupled to a plurality of luminaires through a data communications network. In some implementations, the data communications network may include a power-line power distribution system and/or a wired or wireless communications network. Each of the plurality of luminaires includes a local illumination control system, which may include a photosensor. The central control system identifies one or more luminaires as having a faulty local illumination control system and issues illumination commands to such luminaires through the data communications network so that the luminaires continue to operate normally without a working local illumination control system. The central control system may store data relating to luminaires having faulty illumination control systems, such as addresses, map data, routing data, or the like.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for providing illumination systems with selectively adjustable illumination patterns which reduce the need for a utility or luminaire distributer to stock luminaires with different illumination patterns and reduce the need for pre-planning installations. Illumination patterns may be adjusted wirelessly from the ground or from a central location. Implementations may allow scheduled dimming of luminaires, dimming in defined physical directions and scheduled adjustment of light patterns. The luminaires of the present disclosure may provide different light color illumination, such as amber color, in defined zones which may be required in biologically sensitive areas or other applications. Notifications, such as severe storm warning alerts, may be signaled to the public by turning on or flashing an amber colored or other colored luminaire.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for providing lighting or illumination systems having drive circuits that employ a magnetic amplifier (“mag-amp”) and one or more feedback circuits to form a power converter that powers solid-state light sources (e.g., LEDs). The magnetic amplifier includes one or more magnetic cores which provides a controllable reluctance for magnetic flux. The magnetic amplifier includes one or more power windings which receive energy from an alternating current (AC) supply (e.g., AC mains) and delivers rectified AC current as direct current (DC) to one or more solid-state light sources. The magnetic amplifier includes one or more control windings coupled to a DC control source. The drive circuit may have two or more rectifiers (e.g., solid-state rectifiers) to provide a direct current to drive the solid-state light sources and also to isolate the one or more control windings from interference from the magnetic flux of the one or more power windings.

Abstract: A solid-state lighting device has user-engageable actuator physically manipulable by a user and accessible from an exterior of the device to adjust an amount of light output. The user-engageable actuator may take the form of a knob, slider, lever, or other manipulable surface or structure. The user-engageable actuator may extend partially or fully from a housing, or alternatively be recessed or otherwise within the housing with access provided via an aperture, slot or opening. Access may be directly by the user (e.g., finger) or via a tool (e.g., screw driver, Allen wrench, socket) manipulated by the user. The actuator may form part of an adjustment component (e.g., potentiometer, rheostat) which supplies an adjustable output to a drive circuit or electronics. The adjustment component may be electrically coupled to either a primary or secondary side of a transformer, which forms part of a power converter (e.g., flyback).

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for providing automatic collection of asset management data of outdoor illumination systems. A central asset management system organizes the collected data into electronic reports (e.g., spreadsheets, maps) presentable to a user. The asset management data may include, for example, identification information, location information, installation date, installation cost, installation details, type of luminaire, maintenance activities, specifications, purchase date, cost, expected lifetime, warranty information, service contracts, service history, spare parts, comments, or anything other information that may be useful to users (e.g., management, purchasers, installers, maintenance workers). A smart appliance with location determination capabilities, such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, provides location information to a luminaire when the smart appliance is positioned proximate a luminaire.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for providing centralized control of area lighting hours of illumination. An area illumination system includes a central control system operatively coupled to a plurality of luminaires through a data communications network. In some implementations, the data communications network may include a power-line power distribution system and/or a wired or wireless communications network. Each of the plurality of luminaires includes a local illumination control system, which may include a photosensor. The central control system identifies one or more luminaires as having a faulty local illumination control system and issues illumination commands to such luminaires through the data communications network so that the luminaires continue to operate normally without a working local illumination control system. The central control system may store data relating to luminaires having faulty illumination control systems, such as addresses, map data, routing data, or the like.