Selective Energization Of The Load Devices Patents (Class 315/153)
  • Patent number: 10757789
    Abstract: There is described a building automation system for controlling illumination uniformly based on ambient light. Light sensors are distributed within an environment and detect ambient light levels of the environment. An energy manager receives the ambient light levels from the light sensors and determines a group light level based on the ambient light levels. Light sources are distributed within the environment and provide illumination uniformly based on the group light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Enlighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Reid Senescu, Tanuj Mohan, Norman Farquhar, Jason Kurashige, Sreedhar Kamishetti
  • Patent number: 10721807
    Abstract: An exemplary lighting system utilizes intelligent system elements, such as lighting devices, user interfaces for lighting control or the like and possibly sensors, and utilizes network communication amongst such intelligent system elements. Some processing functions performed within the system are implemented on a distributed processing basis, by two or more of the intelligent elements of the lighting system. Distributed processing, for example, may enable use of available processor and/or memory resources of a number of intelligent system elements to process a particular job. Another distributed processing approach might entail programming to configure two or more of the intelligent system elements to implement multiple instances of a server functionality with respect to client functionalities implemented on intelligent system elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Januk Aggarwal, Jason W. Rogers, David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10708991
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling a lighting device with light-channels to produce illumination based on a reference spectral power distribution (SPD); including: determining first adjustments of the light-channels for minimizing first spectral deviation between a first calculated SPD and the reference SPD, the first calculated SPD depending on predefined SPDs of the light-channels and the first adjustments; inducing the light-channels to emit lights based on the first adjustments; receiving sensor signals from a colour sensor representing colour coordinates of a mixture of lights produced by the light mixer as a result of mixing the lights emitted by the light-channels; performing an optimization process producing second adjustments for minimizing a colour deviation between colour coordinates of reference and the colour coordinates of the mixture of lights; and inducing the light-channels to emit lights based on second adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: LEDMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, S.L.
    Inventors: Josep Maria Carreras Molins, Aleix Llenas Farràs
  • Patent number: 10681784
    Abstract: A lighting fixture for powering multiple LED groups to generate a selectable color temperature. The lighting fixture provides varying amounts of power to each group of LEDs to achieve a selected color temperature. Current from a driver may be divided between the LED groups based on a selected operational state, which is selected using a switch or other configurable input. The operational states may turn the LED groups on or off or may control an amount of current received by the LED groups. In some configurations, all of the LED groups are always at least partially powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Bruckner, Yan Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10674579
    Abstract: A lighting fixture for powering multiple LED groups to generate a selectable color temperature. The lighting fixture provides varying amounts of power to each group of LEDs to achieve a selected color temperature. Current from a driver may be divided between the LED groups based on a selected operational state, which is selected using a switch or other configurable input. The operational states may turn the LED groups on or off or may control an amount of current received by the LED groups. In some configurations, all of the LED groups are always at least partially powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Bruckner, Yan Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10667368
    Abstract: A timing circuit (24), in particular a real time clock circuit, in a lighting device (10) that is periodically (17) powered from a main power supply (15) in accordance with a power supply cycle having a power-on time and a power-off time, is automatically synchronized in case the power condition of an auxiliary power supply (23) is insufficient to assume correct operation of the timing circuit (24). At each power-on of the power supply cycle, a power condition of the auxiliary power supply (23) is monitored. If the determined power condition exceeds a set power threshold, it is assumed that the momentary timing value of the timing circuit (24) is correct and this value is stored in a non-volatile memory (29), If the determined power condition gives rise to assuming malfunctioning of the timing circuit (24), for example due to absence of power for a longer time, the timing circuit (24) is synchronised to the stored timing value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Marco Haverlag, Marcel Beij, Ralph Antonius Cornelis Braspenning
  • Patent number: 10587846
    Abstract: Techniques are described for using an integrated lightbulb camera system for monitoring a property. The integrated lightbulb camera system can have a housing that includes one or more cameras, a power-line communication (PLC) chip, and one or more processors. The PLC chip can be configured to enable communications between the lightbulb camera system and one or more external devices. The one or more processors can be configured to control the one or more cameras to capture one or more images and control the PLC chip to transmit at least one of the one or more captured images over a power-line to at least one of the one or more external devices. The integrated lightbulb camera can also have a lightbulb compatible screw base that is configured to mount the housing to a lightbulb socket and accept electrical current that is provided to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin Asher Berg, Charles Richard Alpert
  • Patent number: 10539860
    Abstract: A wall controller is provided. The wall controller includes a projection screen having an input device and a projector, wherein the projector has an optical axis that is non-orthogonal to the projection screen. The wall controller includes a housing having the projector at an end of the housing. The housing is dimensioned to fit the end of the housing through an aperture in a first wall, fit the end into a wall space between the first wall and a second wall, and fit a majority of another end of the housing into the aperture until the projection screen is parallel to a surface of the first wall and a front portion of the projection screen is flush with, recessed in or extends from the surface of the first wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Antoine Dubois, John Bogdan, Paul Nagel, Craig Henricksen, Stephen Coffin, Wally Barnum
  • Patent number: 10512136
    Abstract: An ultraviolet irradiation device includes a light source unit, a drive circuit, a sensing unit and a controller. The light source unit includes a plurality of light emitting devices and outputs ultraviolet light as irradiating light. The drive circuit supplies a drive current (Id) to the plurality of light emitting devices. The sensing unit senses a trouble in the plurality of light emitting devices. The controller controls the drive current (Id) in accordance with a result of sensing by the sensing unit. When an output of the light source unit is reduced due to a trouble in one or some of the plurality of light emitting devices, the controller controls the drive current (Id) of a plurality of light emitting devices other than the light emitting device in trouble so as to compensate reduction in the output of the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mochizuki, Ryouta Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 10448489
    Abstract: A power management system for a lighting circuit may include a grid shifting controller that includes a processor and a connection to an external power source. The power management system may also include a communication interface associated with the grid shifting controller. The grid shifting controller may be configured to provide control information to a processor of at least one grid shifting electrical fixture over the communication interface, the control information being configured to direct the at least one grid shifting electrical fixture on the use of power from the external power source and an energy storage device associated with the at least one grid shifting electrical fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: A9.Com, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Recker, David B. Levine
  • Patent number: 10448482
    Abstract: A system and a method for automatically creating and operating a functional association of multiple luminaires is proposed. The system consists of two or more devices that each contain one or more sensors, logic processing circuitry and communication circuitry that is able to transmit messages between devices. The set of devices that constitute the members of a functional association is selected from a larger set of candidate devices. The selection process involves each device comparing the sensor data received from neighboring devices relating to occupancy and daylight sensors against the device's occupancy and daylight sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: JDRF Electromag Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Roumanos Dableh
  • Patent number: 10412811
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a network device that is capable of coordinating the control of light emitters. For example, the network device may receive data indicating conditions for activating the light emitters. The network device may then receive sensor data generated by various sensors, such as motion sensors, light sensors, or a timer. Using the sensor data, the network device may determine that the conditions are satisfied and, in response, cause the light emitters to activate. To activate first light emitters, the network device may transmit a signal to an electronic device that causes the first light emitters to activate. The first light emitters may be powered by the electronic device. Additionally, to activate second light emitters, the network device may transmit signals to the second light emitters that include commands to activate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Siminoff, Michael Recker, Ryan David Hruska, David Brett Levine
  • Patent number: 10375800
    Abstract: A method of controlling a lighting system comprising at least two luminaires arranged to illuminate a physical space, to render a version of a selected scene image. The method comprising: capturing at least one image of the physical space; using the captured at least one image to determine, for each of the luminaires, at least one location in the physical space associated with that luminaire; receiving a selection of a scene image to be rendered; processing the selected scene image to select at least two colors in the scene image and determining a respective location of each selected color in the scene image; comparing the determined scene image locations with the determined luminaire locations so as to identify, for each of the determined scene image locations, a matching one of the determined locations in the physical space; and controlling the luminaires to render the scene image, based on said comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Deixler, Remco Magielse, Peter Rijskamp
  • Patent number: 10356881
    Abstract: An LED based illumination device includes a receiver and a transmitter for communications adhering to a lighting control communications protocol and a high speed communications protocol. The LED based illumination device may be part of a lighting control network, wherein the data transmission rate of the high speed communications protocol is more than twice that of the lighting control communications protocol. The lighting control network may be coupled to a digital communications gateway, including a digital communications interface configured to be coupled to a network operating in accordance with an internet protocol and a lighting control network interface coupled to the lighting control network. A processor determines a summary status value of the LED based illumination device based on information stored in memory of the digital communications gateway. The digital communications gateway may periodically transmit the time of day to the LED based illumination device over the lighting control network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Barry Mark Loveridge
  • Patent number: 10349500
    Abstract: Techniques are described for a lighting system in which light sources are controllable using signals sent over a wireless mesh network. During a commissioning process, a user interface (UI) may present a representation of nodes (e.g., light sources, sensors, controllers, etc.) that are broadcasting a wireless advertising signal. In response to a selection of a particular node, a wireless message may be sent to instruct the selected node to provide a visual indication of its presence, such as a flashing light. The visual indication may enable a user to discern the physical location of the node, such that each node may be added to the mesh network and, in some instances, to a group of nodes. The UI may also enable the definition of scenes, where each scene describes the brightness level or other operating characteristics of particular light source(s) and/or group(s) of light sources when the scene is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: iLumisys, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Amrine, Daniel J. Hollenkamp, John Ivey, Francis Palazzolo, Scott Rundell, James R. Scapa
  • Patent number: 10306736
    Abstract: A lighting adjusting method applied to a light-emitting electronic device includes a distance sensor includes obtaining distance data to objects or human beings being present or not present. Once a first lighting power level is determined for at least one lighting device according to the distance data and associated power level required, the at least one lighting device is controlled to adjust the level of lighting as circumstances change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Lan, Te-En Tseng
  • Patent number: 10264651
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing environmental characteristics of a space may include a visible light sensing circuit for recording an image of the space and a control circuit responsive to the visible light sensing circuit. The control circuit may detect an occupancy or vacancy condition in the space in response to the visible light sensing circuit, and measure a light level in the space in response to the visible light sensing circuit. The control circuit may also include a low-energy occupancy sensing circuit for detecting an occupancy condition in the space. The control circuit may disable the visible light sensing circuit when the space is vacant. The control circuit may detect an occupancy condition in the space in response to the low-energy occupancy sensing circuit and subsequently enable the visible light sensing circuit. The visible light sensor may be configured in a way that protects the privacy of the occupants of the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 10255848
    Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations to enable simultaneous controllable lighting distribution and a wide angle image light output from areas of a luminaire. An example of such a luminaire includes image light emitters and an array of general illumination light emitters for general illumination. A grid structure that has a supporting grid of rows and columns with intersection points and transparent sections or gaps is used to maintain a spaced arrangement of the general illumination light emitters and the image light emitters. Each of the transparent sections is bounded by individual structural members of the grid meeting at individual intersection points. In a specific example, image light emitters are located at intersection points of the grid structure. The general illumination light emitters are optically coupled for emitting general illumination light through the transparent sections of the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar Komanduri, David P. Ramer, Guan-Bo Lin
  • Patent number: 10182489
    Abstract: A wireless light kit includes a wireless light unit that comprises a housing having an interior compartment that contains a processor and a power source and a light source that is powered by the power source and operatively connected to the processor. The kit also includes two different types of mounting back plates, namely a first back plate and a second back plate. The first back plate is configured to mate with the housing so as to cover at least a portion of the rear face of the housing and provide a mounting surface for mounting to a support surface, such as a wall. The second back plate is configured to mate with the housing so as to cover at least a portion of the rear face of the housing and further includes a stake extending outwardly therefrom and being configured for insertion into a ground surface for supporting the wireless light unit above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: TRENDSTAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rajesh Israni
  • Patent number: 10162785
    Abstract: Embodiments include an integrated configurable electronic device controller for controlling at least one load coupled to the controller. The controller includes a communications interface operable to communicate via a wireless communications protocol, a configurable port and a processing system. The processing system is configured to receive, via the communications interface, one or more instructions for controlling power of the at least one load. The processing system is also configured to monitor one or more operating parameters of the at least one load. The processing system is further configured to generate one or more signals to control the power of the at least one load based, at least in part, on the received instructions and the monitoring; and report, via the communications interface, the one or more operating parameters to a management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: ACCELTEX SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Carter J. Burke, Chris Marco
  • Patent number: 10154565
    Abstract: A lighting system comprises a plurality of lights, a sensor for measuring a light level associated with each light, and at least one controller for generating a light output from at least one light of the plurality of lights. The controller is adapted for adjusting the light output from the at least one light by an incremental amount to bring the measured light level closer to a target light level, which may correspond to an overall brightness for the space including the lights. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: DELTA T, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan William Wiley Olsen, Stephen Alexander Harper, Adam Glenn Tucker, Thomas James Lesser, James Tristan Miller, Mitchell Thomas Kiser, Marcus Landon Borders, Warner Lee Wells, Kristjen Ejvind Kjems, Jason Robert Bishop, Paul Frederick Wigler
  • Patent number: 10143070
    Abstract: A first lamp for use in a luminaire, the first lamp comprising: a transmitting circuit configured to transmit, and/or a receiving circuit configured to receive, one or more signals via a constrained signalling channel whereby propagation of the signals is constrained by a physical characteristic of the luminaire; and a controller configured to detect, based on the transmission and/or reception of these one or more signals via the constrained signalling channel, that one or more other, second components (e.g. other lamps) are present in the same luminaire as the first lamp, and to identify the one or more second components based on the transmission and/or reception of the one or more signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Deixler, Leendert Teunis Rozendaal, Haimin Tao
  • Patent number: 10143056
    Abstract: Aspects are provided for controlling outdoor lighting systems using a photocontrol interface that can be connected to a motion sensor and a luminaire driver or ballast. In some aspects, a dimming control node is electrically and communicatively coupled to a motion sensor via wired connections to a photocontrol interface. The dimming control node is also communicatively coupled to a luminaire ballast or driver. The dimming control node can provide power to the motion sensor. The dimming control node can also receive sensor data from the motion sensor via one of the wired connections. The dimming control node can determine a sensor output state of the motion sensor from the received sensor data, and can select a dim-level configuration corresponding to the determined sensor output state. The dimming control node can cause the luminaire ballast or driver to implement the selected dim-level configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Phillip Ryan Wagner, Robert Burt
  • Patent number: 10143066
    Abstract: A sensor, such as a motion sensor and/or an occupancy sensor, can include the capability of communicating wirelessly with a user device such that sensor settings can be adjusted via an application running on the user device. The sensor settings may determine when one or more light sources (e.g., a light fixture, a light bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), etc.) turn on and/or the amount of light produced by the one or more light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: MW McWong International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Michael Darren Musgrove, Andrew Judy, Blane Goettle
  • Patent number: 10133384
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, a source driving part, a gate driving part, a readout part and a pulse generating part. The display panel includes an array substrate on which a source line and a gate line are formed, and an opposite substrate on which a common electrode is formed. The readout part is electrically connected with at least one of the lines of the array substrate and the common electrode of the opposite substrate, and reads out a detection signal during an elimination period of a frame period. The pulse generating part outputs a control pulse for driving the readout part during the elimination period. Accordingly, a detection signal is read out through lines or a common electrode that are/is formed for displaying an image, so that an aperture ratio may be increased, and a manufacturing process thereof may be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Jin Pak, Man-Seung Cho, Kee-Han Uh, Joo-Hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9986612
    Abstract: The lighting control device includes a controller. The controller generates a second dimming signal corresponding to a measurement result of brightness of surroundings in the first mode and generates a second dimming signal corresponding to a first dimming signal in the second mode. The controller selects the first mode and start operating in the first mode when receiving the first dimming signal having a third duty cycle not falling within a range from a first duty cycle corresponding to an upper limit of the dimming level to a second duty cycle corresponding to a lower limit of the dimming level. The controller selects the second mode and start operating in the second mode when receiving the first dimming signal having a duty cycle falling within the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Murakami
  • Patent number: 9888541
    Abstract: A device control system includes a detecting apparatus configured to detect an object in a predetermined space, and an information processing apparatus configured to control an illuminating apparatus based on a detection result of the object. The device control system includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain, from the detecting apparatus, information relating to an illuminance in the predetermined space; and a control unit configured to control, when the illuminance in the predetermined space falls below a first targeted illuminance, the illuminating apparatus so that the illuminance in the predetermined space becomes a second targeted illuminance that is greater than the first illuminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Nakai, Kazunari Tonami, Kiriko Chosokabe, Yuji Ohue, Akira Murakata, Hideaki Iijima, Yushi Miyata
  • Patent number: 9831716
    Abstract: An apparatus according to various embodiments may detect the state of an external switch. An apparatus according to various embodiments may activate or deactivate an appliance based on the state of the external switch. An apparatus according to various embodiments may activate or deactivate an appliance based on the state of the external switch, even in the absence of grid power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Shailendra Kumar Suman
  • Patent number: 9829870
    Abstract: An example of a building automation system utilizes intelligent system elements, some of which are lighting devices having light sources, and some of which are utility building control and automation elements. Some utility building control and automation elements include a controllable mechanism for use in control of some aspect of the building other than lighting. Another intelligent system element may include either a user interface component and be configured as a building controller, or include a detector and be configured as a sensor. Each intelligent system element includes a network communication interface, processor, memory and programming to configure the intelligent system element as a lighting device, utility building control and automation element, controller or sensor. At least one of the intelligent lighting devices is configured as a building control and automation system server. Several examples, however, implement the overall control using distributed processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Januk Aggarwal, Jason Rogers, Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 9733127
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining the size and location of an object in a monitored area. The system includes a passive infrared sensor (PIR) configured to detect infrared radiation in a monitored area, a lens system including a plurality of lenslets, the plurality of lenslets encoded to create a mask area within the monitored area, a reflective element configured to focus the infrared radiation in the monitored area onto the PIR sensor, and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a moving object in the monitored area, initiate the movement of the reflective element, generating an object signature over time as the reflective element is moved, and the size and location of the object is determined based on the object signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Aveek Ravishekhar Purohit, William Alan Saperstein
  • Patent number: 9713229
    Abstract: A lighting control apparatus which controls dimming levels of lighting devices associated with a plurality of brightness sensors, so as to adjust brightnesses indicated by detection results detected by the plurality of brightness sensors to predetermined brightnesses, the lighting control apparatus including: a querier which periodically queries each of the plurality of brightness sensors for a detection result; and a controller which controls, for each of the lighting devices, the dimming level of the lighting device associated with a brightness sensor among the plurality of brightness sensors queried by the querier, according to the detection result detected by the brightness sensor, wherein the querier assigns priorities to the plurality of brightness sensors, and queries the plurality of brightness sensors for detection results, according to the priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Tanigawa, Yuto Hidaka, Yuka Hatano
  • Patent number: 9681518
    Abstract: An LED lighting device for connection to an AC voltage source is provided. The lighting device includes at least a first and a second set of LEDs, at least two LEDs assigned to the first set of LEDs and electrically arranged in series, and at least two LEDs assigned to the second set of LEDs and electrically arranged in series, a connector configured to connect the LED lighting device to the AC voltage source, and a set activator. The set activator having a voltmeter for measuring a currently applied voltage amplitude of the AC voltage source, a signal generator for generating a switching signal in response to the currently applied voltage amplitude, and a current controller for controlling the current flowing through the at least first and second sets of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Woelfing, Andreas Schneider
  • Patent number: 9662409
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a first light source configured to generate light for illumination of a space and a second light source configured to generate light of a particular wavelength independently from the first light source. The light generated by the second light source is output at a sufficient intensity so as to reasonably expect to support an intended benefit other than illumination of the space. The first light source and the second light source are integrated into the same lighting device. The lighting device includes an optical element coupled to the first and second light sources that is configured to produce a light output of the lighting device. The lighting device outputs the light for illumination of the space and the light of the particular wavelength for the other intended benefit from the second light source via the same output of the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer, Januk Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 9661714
    Abstract: A dimmable lighting system may replace a bi-level lighting system without having to modify or supplement the existing wiring between a bi-level control unit and one or more light fixtures. The dimmable lighting system may include a dimming controller that may be configured to replace a bi-level control unit in situ (i.e., e.g., in a wall-mounted dual-gang switch box). The dimmable lighting system may also include a dimming driver that may be coupled to the dimming controller via the existing wiring of the bi-level lighting system. The dimming controller may output to the dimming driver a 0-10 volt DC dimming signal referenced to an AC utility voltage. In response, a dimmable lighting device coupled to the dimming driver may output light over a wide range of dimming light levels. Methods of replacing a bi-level lighting system with a dimmable lighting system are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Fassbender, Stephen H. Lydecker, Glen A. Kruse, Ryan A. Zaveruha, David M. Behnke
  • Patent number: 9648697
    Abstract: A system monitors operational status of a lighting element. A lighting fixture processor instructs a lighting element to illuminate at a predetermined time, receives sensed light level information from the light sensing element, and transmits a wireless message including information representing the sensed light level. A room controller can control some or all of these steps. A daylighting arrangement includes a room controller that instructs the lighting fixtures of a lighting group to illuminate their lighting elements at a predetermined time of day. Sensed light level information is obtained and wirelessly transmitted to the room controller, which determines an initial daylighting target for the lighting fixture group based on an average of the sensed light level information. The room controller instructs the lighting fixtures to illuminate their respective lighting elements in accordance with the initial daylighting target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Robert L. Hick
  • Patent number: 9576786
    Abstract: The user of plasma light technology and remote lighting control techniques may enable a single master controller to control a large number of lighting fixtures. Multiple lighting fixtures may be equipped with control applications. Each control application may control the radio frequency driver of a lighting fixture that drives the plasma bulbs of the lighting fixture to produce light output for growing plants. The master controlled may execute on one or more computing devices. The master controller may send input instructions to the control applications of the lighting fixtures via a network. The instructions may be implemented by the control applications to command the radio frequency drivers to regulate a spectral distribution and/or intensity of the light output of the lighting fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: iUNU, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Phillip Takla Greenberg, Kyle Terrence James Rooney, Travis Anthony Conrad
  • Patent number: 9560727
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating functional lighting groups, including a plurality of wireless devices and a gateway. The plurality of wireless devices is configured to enter a grouping mode responsive to commands sent over a wireless network, and is configured to send messages over the wireless network indicating that they have been power cycled. The gateway, coupled to the plurality of wireless devices over the wireless network, is configured to send the commands, and is configured to receive the messages, and is configured to create a functional lighting group comprising the plurality of wireless devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FABRIQ, LTD.
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Reh, Matthew B. O'Kelley
  • Patent number: 9474132
    Abstract: A light control device and system and a method of light control are disclosed. The light control system includes an editing device and a light control device. The editing device includes an editing module, a screen, and a wireless communication module. The editing module includes an editing interface including an input block. The screen displays the editing interface. When the input block is activated, the editing module records the time of the activation of the input block in a light control pattern. The wireless communication module receives the light control pattern for transmission. The light control device includes a network module and a control module. The network module receives the light control pattern via wireless communication protocol. The control module generates a set of light control commands in accordance with the light control pattern and outputs the set of light control commands for controlling one or more lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: UNIFORM INDUSTRIAL CORP.
    Inventor: Hsi-Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 9440584
    Abstract: A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The vehicle illumination apparatus comprises a console rotatably connected to a portion of a seat. The console is operable to rotate from a first position to a second position. A light source is disposed proximate the console and configured to emit a first emission of light. The illumination apparatus further comprises at least one light guide configured to direct the first emission to a first photoluminescent portion disposed on the console when the console is oriented in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 9372475
    Abstract: In a lighting system, each lamp has a wireless circuit that realizes: a time measuring unit measuring the elapsed time period since the lamp is turned on by a wall switch; a specifying unit specifying a plurality of electrical devices wired to the wall switch according to the elapsed time period measured by each time measuring unit; an identification information assigning unit assigning same identification information to the plurality of lamps specified by the specifying unit as being wired to the same wall switch; and a registration unit registering a Net-ID of a remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsumi Setomoto, Toru Okazaki, Tamotsu Ando
  • Patent number: 9345098
    Abstract: System, methods, and apparatus, including devices and software, for providing self-adjusting light sources. In one aspect, a lighting unit includes one or more LEDs and an ambient light sensor. The light sensor measures ambient light in synchronization with intermittent off periods of light generated by the LEDs. For example, the LEDs in the lighting unit can be driven by a pulse width modulated signal that turns on and off the LEDs in an alternating manner, and the ambient light can be measured when the LEDs are turned off. In some implementations, a compact lighting unit, such as a light bulb, is provided that can be easily attached to standard light fixtures and can efficiently control its own brightness based on ambient light conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Stack Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Joseph, Jovi Gacusan
  • Patent number: 9295141
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an identification device includes a controller, an acquiring unit, and an identifying unit. The controller controls turning on/off of a plurality of light emitting apparatuses via a network individually by using pieces of identification information of their respective light emitting apparatuses. The acquiring unit acquires images of the light emitting apparatuses in time-series. The identifying unit determines an installation position of each of the light emitting apparatuses by using the on/off control on the light emitting apparatuses and the images, and identifies each of the light emitting apparatuses determined by the installation positions corresponding to each of the light emitting apparatuses identified by the pieces of identification information with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Satoshi Ito, Kenichi Shimoyama, Akihito Seki, Yuta Itoh, Masaki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9288880
    Abstract: A network apparatus is provided. The network apparatus includes a communication unit configured to perform communication with at least one device. The apparatus also includes a storage unit configured to store information for an illumination device located within a preset distance range from the at least one device. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to control a light-emitting state of the illumination device located within the preset distance range from the at least one device based on the information stored in the storage unit when a preset event occurs in the at least one device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Cho, Tae-Hyeun Ha, Tae-Hoon Kim, Chang-Won Son, Tae-Je Park
  • Patent number: 9277632
    Abstract: An emergency lighting system with central batteries power remote LED fixtures and exit signs, with all components integrated throughout a single or multiple buildings. Status reports are available on demand and the system will generate written records required by the Life Safety Code. A wide range of fixtures optimized for emergency lighting are available for interior and exterior applications and all can be monitored via internet, with report displays available on any digital device. Easy access to batteries, automated testing, high lumen outputs, efficient optics and long lamp life ensure the lowest possible life cycle costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Signtex, Inc.
    Inventor: William Hegarty
  • Publication number: 20150145419
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to controlling illumination on a lighting unit (10). The method includes reading orientation data from an orientation sensor (17) on the lighting unit as well as reading distance data from a distance sensor (15) on the lighting unit. A controller (63) is provided to control various light output surfaces (12) on the lighting unit. Once the controller determines the orientation of the lighting unit as well as distance data of the lighting unit from external structures or luminaire structures, the controller adjusts various light output characteristics of the lighting unit. The method may additionally include a memory storage which allows the controller to compare read data with stored data to determine an associated light fixture type for automated commissioning. Alternatively, the lighting unit can reconfigure itself to output light in various orientations based upon said read data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Tatiana Aleksandrovna Lashina, Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu, Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Bram Knaapen, Anthonie Hendrik Bergman, Jonathan David Mason, Tim Dekker
  • Patent number: 9041295
    Abstract: A retrofit light emitting diode (LED) module may include a carrier with at least one LED, a retrofit connection for mechanical and electrical contact-connection to conventional lamp holders, and an electronic system for driving the at least one LED. At least one part of the electronic system is integrated into the carrier, and the electronic system comprises a sensor system. A retrofit LED module system may include at least two retrofit LED modules and at least one control unit which regulates the retrofit LED modules in an adaptive and synchronized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Tridonic Jennersdorf GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Hartmann, Hans Hoschopf, Stefan Gianordoli, Stefan Tasch
  • Patent number: 9041297
    Abstract: Sensors and lighting components are provided that are capable of matching an emitted color to a color observed at a remote location. The sensor measures a light characteristic at a first location, and provides data to a remote lighting component, such as via a wireless connection. The lighting component is configured to emit light based upon the light characteristic, and thus is able to match an observed lighting condition. The lighting component may match the color, intensity, temperature, pattern, texture, or other characteristic of light at a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL DISPLAY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul E. Burrows, Ruiqing Ma, Jason Paynter, Michael O'Connor, Julia J. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150136037
    Abstract: There is provided an illumination system (100) for cultivation of aquatic animals. The illumination system (100) comprises at least one light source (110) emitting light, at least one light driver (120) arranged to drive the at least one light source (110), at least one light sensor (130) providing illuminance data for at least one point of interest (50) in said illumination system (100), and a controller (140). The controller (140) is adapted to provide control signals to the at least one light driver (120) driving the at least one light source (110) to emit light of a desired illuminance at the at least one point of interest (50). An ambient light sensor may be applied to determine control signals also in accordance with ambient light data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Erik Paul Boonekamp, Christina Tanase, Martijn Evert Paul Jansen, Willem Franke Pasveer, Hilbrand Vanden Wyngaert, René Van Honschooten, Peter Johannes Johannes Martinus Bukkems
  • Patent number: RE46430
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing illumination in a manner that is energy efficient and intelligent. In particular, the present invention uses distributed processing across a network of illuminators to control the illumination for a given environment. The network controls the illumination level and pattern in response to light, sound, and motion. The network may also be trained according to uploaded software behavior modules, and subsets of the network may be organized into groups for illumination control and maintenance reporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Olin Sibert
  • Patent number: RE48090
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing illumination in a manner that is energy efficient and intelligent. In particular, the present invention uses distributed processing across a network of illuminators to control the illumination for a given environment. The network controls the illumination level and pattern in response to light, sound, and motion. The network may also be trained according to uploaded software behavior modules, and subsets of the network may be organized into groups for illumination control and maintenance reporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventor: W. Olin Sibert