阅读说明：本技术 具有整合的无线通信、控制和运动感测能力的照明元件 (Lighting element with integrated wireless communication, control and motion sensing capabilities ) 是由 J·A·尼莫 于 2019-03-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了关于智能灯泡的系统和方法,该智能灯泡可以包括用于感测运动的装置以及用于通过无线方式传输和接收信息的装置。该智能灯泡可以包括射频收发器和具有天线的运动传感器。该收发器和该运动传感器可以电耦合至可编程处理器。该收发器可以定向在第一平面中,并且该运动传感器的天线可以定向在不同于该第一平面的第二平面中。在一些实施例中,可以提供振荡器电路来代替该运动传感器天线。该振荡器电路可以电耦合至该收发器、该运动传感器和通信电路系统。该可编程处理器可以被配置成引导该振荡器电路在将该运动传感器电耦合至该射频收发器与将该通信电路系统电耦合至该射频收发器之间进行切换。(Systems and methods are provided for a smart light bulb that may include means for sensing motion and means for transmitting and receiving information wirelessly. The smart bulb may include a radio frequency transceiver and a motion sensor having an antenna. The transceiver and the motion sensor may be electrically coupled to a programmable processor. The transceiver may be oriented in a first plane and the antenna of the motion sensor may be oriented in a second plane different from the first plane. In some embodiments, an oscillator circuit may be provided in place of the motion sensor antenna. The oscillator circuit may be electrically coupled to the transceiver, the motion sensor, and communication circuitry. The programmable processor may be configured to direct the oscillator circuit to switch between electrically coupling the motion sensor to the radio frequency transceiver and electrically coupling the communication circuitry to the radio frequency transceiver.)

1. A smart light bulb comprising:

a light source;

a programmable processor;

a radio frequency transceiver electrically coupled to the programmable processor and oriented in a first plane; and

a motion sensor electrically coupled to the programmable processor and having an antenna oriented in a second plane different from the first plane,

wherein the programmable processor is configured to connect to a first wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver,

wherein the programmable processor is configured to change a state of the light source based on first information in a first signal received from the first wireless network,

wherein the motion sensor is configured to detect the presence of motion in an area proximate to a location of the smart light bulb, and

wherein, in response to the motion sensor detecting the presence of the motion, the programmable processor is configured to change a state of the light source and broadcast a second signal indicative of the presence of the motion over the first network.

2. The smart bulb of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency transceiver is spaced a distance from the antenna.

3. The smart bulb of claim 2, wherein the distance is greater than or equal to 2 inches.

4. The smart bulb of claim 1, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.

5. The smart bulb of claim 1, wherein the programmable processor is configured to create a second wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver,

wherein the programmable processor is configured to change the state of the light source based on second information in a third signal received from the second wireless network, and

wherein, when the motion sensor detects the presence of motion in an area proximate to a location of the smart light bulb, the programmable processor is configured to broadcast the second signal indicative of the presence of motion over the second network.

6. The smart bulb of claim 5, wherein the programmable processor is configured to rebroadcast the third signal over the first network.

7. The smart bulb of claim 1, wherein the state of the light source comprises at least one of: an on state, an off state, a constant brightness state of the light source, a constant color state of the light source, a strobe state of the light source, a periodic color change state of the light source, or a periodic brightness change state of the light source.

8. A smart light bulb comprising:

a light source;

a programmable processor;

communication circuitry electrically coupled to the programmable processor;

a radio frequency transceiver;

a motion sensor electrically coupled to the programmable processor, the motion sensor configurable to operate at the same frequency as the radio frequency transceiver; and

an oscillator circuit electrically coupled to the programmable processor, the radio frequency transceiver, the motion sensor, and the communication circuitry,

wherein the programmable processor is configured to direct the oscillator circuit to switch between electrically coupling the motion sensor to the radio frequency transceiver and electrically coupling the communication circuitry to the radio frequency transceiver,

wherein when the oscillator circuit electrically couples the communication circuitry to the radio frequency transceiver, the programmable processor is configured to connect to a first wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver using the communication circuitry,

wherein the programmable processor is configured to change a state of the light source based on first information in a first signal received from the first wireless network,

wherein when the oscillator circuit electrically couples the motion sensor to the radio frequency transceiver, the motion sensor is configured to detect the presence of motion in an area proximate to a location of the smart light bulb, and

wherein, in response to the motion sensor detecting the presence of the motion, the programmable processor is configured to direct the oscillator circuit to electrically couple the communication circuitry to the radio frequency transceiver, change a state of the light source, and broadcast a second signal indicative of the presence of the motion over the first network using the communication circuitry.

9. The smart bulb of claim 8, wherein when the radio frequency transceiver receives the first signal and the radio frequency transceiver is electrically coupled to the motion sensor, the oscillator circuit is configured to switch from a state in which the motion sensor is electrically coupled to the radio frequency transceiver to a state in which the communication circuitry is electrically coupled to the radio frequency transceiver.

10. The smart bulb of claim 8, wherein the programmable processor is configured to periodically direct the oscillator circuit to switch between a state of electrically coupling the motion sensor to the radio-frequency transceiver and a state of electrically coupling the communication circuitry to the radio-frequency transceiver.

11. The smart bulb of claim 8, wherein when the oscillator circuit electrically couples the communication circuitry to the radio frequency transceiver, the programmable processor is configured to create a second wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver using the communication circuitry,

wherein the programmable processor is configured to change the state of the light source based on second information in a third signal received from the second wireless network, and

wherein, in response to the motion sensor detecting the presence of the motion, the programmable processor is configured to direct the oscillator circuit to electrically couple the communication circuitry to the radio frequency transceiver and broadcast a second signal indicative of the presence of the motion over the second network using the communication circuitry.

12. The smart bulb of claim 11, wherein the programmable processor is configured to rebroadcast the third signal over the first network.

13. The smart bulb of claim 8, wherein the state of the light source comprises at least one of: an on state, an off state, a constant brightness state of the light source, a constant color state of the light source, a strobe state of the light source, a periodic color change state of the light source, or a periodic brightness change state of the light source.

14. A method, comprising:

providing a smart light bulb having a programmable processor coupled to a motion sensor, communication circuitry, and a radio frequency transceiver;

establishing a connection with a first wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver;

detecting, by the motion sensor, the presence of motion in an area proximate to the smart light bulb; and

generating a first illumination state of the light source in response to the motion sensor detecting the presence of the motion; and

broadcasting a signal over the first network via the radio frequency transceiver indicating that the motion sensor detected the motion.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a signal from the first wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver, the signal received from the first wireless network having information for generating a first illumination state of the light source;

processing the information via the programmable processor; and

generating a first illumination state of a light source of the smart bulb in response to information received in the signal received via the radio frequency transceiver.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

directing an oscillator circuit of the smart light bulb to switch electrical coupling between the motion sensor and the radio frequency transceiver to establish electrical coupling between the communication circuitry and the radio frequency transceiver; and

establishing an electrical coupling between the communication circuitry and the radio frequency transceiver.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

directing an oscillator circuit of the smart light bulb to switch electrical coupling between the communication circuitry and the radio frequency transceiver to establish electrical coupling between the motion sensor and the radio frequency transceiver; and

establishing an electrical coupling between the motion sensor and the radio frequency transceiver.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

transmitting a periodic command from the programmable processor to an oscillator circuit of the smart light bulb to direct the oscillator circuit to switch electrical coupling with the radio frequency transceiver between a first electrical coupling between the radio frequency transceiver and the motion sensor and a second electrical coupling between the radio frequency transceiver and the communication circuitry.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

creating, via the radio-frequency transceiver, a second wireless network created by the programmable processor using the communication circuitry after the electrical coupling between the communication circuitry and the radio-frequency transceiver is established;

generating a second illumination state of the light source based on information received in signals received by the programmable processor from the second wireless network; and

broadcasting a signal over the second network via the radio frequency transceiver indicating that the motion sensor detected the motion.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

rebroadcasting the signal received from the second wireless network over the first wireless network.

Technical Field

Embodiments presented herein relate generally to a lighting element for providing artificial light sources, and more particularly to a device, control system, and method for providing an alternative light source (such as a smart light bulb) of an integrated design that may include means for sensing motion, means for transmitting information to and receiving information from remote devices by wireless means, one or more elements for emitting light, and means for limiting power to the lighting element(s).

Background

For typical automation applications, two main types of motion sensing technologies are commonly used: passive Infrared (PIR) sensors and microwave sensors. PIR sensors detect infrared energy emitted by human body heat and are generally unaffected by RF interference. However, when in close proximity to a heat source (such as an LED lighting element), the PIR sensor may malfunction, and the range and effectiveness of motion detection capabilities may be severely limited. The microwave sensor emits pulses of a low-energy microwave signal and measures the reflection of these pulses from a moving object. Microwave sensors are generally not affected by temperature variations, but when they are in close proximity to RF transmitting equipment for wireless communication, interference with the transmitted and reflected signals may occur, resulting in unreliable operation. Due to the inherent limitations of both motion sensing technologies, existing systems for lighting and home/industrial automation are typically composed of multiple devices dedicated to a single function (such as devices for lighting control and devices for motion sensing). There are other devices that include both lighting control and motion sensing but do not have the capability to wirelessly communicate with a remote device.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an apparatus that can provide a motion sensing device, a lighting control device, and a wireless communication device that coexist within a single unit.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a motion sensing smart light bulb according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of the internal components of a motion sensing smart light bulb according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 3 is a block diagram of the internal components of a motion sensing smart light bulb, according to an example embodiment;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of the internal components of a motion sensing smart light bulb according to an exemplary embodiment; and

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the internal components of a motion sensing smart light bulb according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the invention may be presented in many different forms. It will be appreciated and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated below are exemplary and are not intended to specifically limit the present invention to any one particular configuration, arrangement or design. The replacement type lamp light source will hereinafter be referred to as a "light bulb", an embodiment of which will hereinafter be referred to as a "motion sensing smart light bulb". According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a motion sensing smart light bulb is provided that may use microwave or similar motion sensing technology. In general, embodiments of the present invention utilize novel design features, operations, and methods that have been proven through testing to mitigate the above-described interference problems between motion sensors and RF transceivers.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a motion sensing smart light bulb 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. As schematically shown in fig. 1, the smart bulb 10 may have a one-piece, one-piece design having an outer shell 11 with a light-transmissive bulb portion 12 and an integral base portion 13, enclosing an illumination source 28 (e.g., a light emitting diode circuit board) integrated into a circuit board assembly 20. As shown in fig. 1, the integral base portion 13 may include electrical contacts configured to connect the smart light bulb 10 to an electrical lighting device, such as a lamp or light fixture.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a circuit board assembly 20A for use in the motion sensing smart light bulb 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 2, circuit board assembly 20A may include an illumination source 28 having a light emitting diode or diodes 29, a motion sensor 22, a motion sensor antenna 23, a radio frequency transceiver 24, communication circuitry 25, a programmable processor 26 (e.g., a microprocessor or microcontroller), and power supply and LED driver circuitry 27. As shown in fig. 2, the radio frequency transceiver 24 may be electrically coupled to the communication circuitry 25 and the programmable processor 26, and positioned to be oriented in a first plane. Similarly, the motion sensor 22 may be electrically coupled to the programmable processor 26, and the motion sensor antenna 23 may be oriented in a second plane different from the first plane to limit interference between the antenna and the radio frequency transceiver 24. In some embodiments, the first plane may be perpendicular to the second plane. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the radio frequency transceiver 24 and the motion sensor antenna 23 may be separated by a distance. In some embodiments, this distance may be greater than or equal to 2 inches, which has been shown to effectively mitigate interference between the motion sensor antenna 23 and the radio frequency transceiver 24.

In operation, according to embodiments disclosed herein, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to implement instructions (e.g., software) stored on a transitory or non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory). For example, in some embodiments, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to connect to a first wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver 24 and the communication circuitry 25. Additionally, the motion sensor 22 may be configured to detect the presence of motion in an area proximate to the location of the smart light bulb 10 using the motion sensor antenna 23, and in response thereto, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to change the state of the illumination source 28 and broadcast a signal indicative of the presence of the motion over the first network.

In some embodiments, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to change the state of the illumination source 28 based on information in the signal received from the first wireless network. In some embodiments, the state of the illumination source 28 may include an 'on' state in which the illumination source 28 is activated at a constant default brightness or an 'off' state in which the illumination source 28 is deactivated. The states of illumination sources 28 may also include a constant brightness state in which illumination sources 28 are set to a particular constant brightness level in response to signals from the first wireless network and/or a constant color state in which illumination sources 28 are set to a particular constant color output option in response to signals from the first wireless network. The state of illumination source 28 may also include a strobe state in which illumination source 28 flashes, a periodic color change state in which illumination source 28 transitions between different output color options, and/or a periodic brightness change state in which illumination source 28 periodically changes the brightness of the light output from illumination source 28.

In some embodiments, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to create a second wireless network via the radio-frequency transceiver 24 and the communication circuitry 25. In some embodiments, the second wireless network may enable the smart light bulb 10 to act as a master hub or room hub to connect other smart light bulbs to the first wireless network. In some embodiments, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to change the state of the illumination source 28 based on information in the signals received from the second wireless network, and when the motion sensor 22 detects the presence of motion, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to broadcast a signal indicative of the presence of motion over the second network. In some embodiments, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to rebroadcast signals received over the second wireless network over the first network. Various network types for the first wireless network and the second wireless network are contemplated. This type may include User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Using the UDP protocol may allow the smart light bulb 10 and other smart light bulbs connected to the first network or the second network to transmit and receive signals over the first network and/or the second network without having to maintain a persistent connection with them.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the circuit board assembly 20B, and fig. 4 is a perspective view of the circuit board assembly 20B for the motion sensing smart light bulb 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, circuit board assembly 20B may be similar to circuit board assembly 20A of fig. 2. However, the circuit board assembly 20B may not be provided with the motion sensor antenna 23, and may include the oscillator circuit 30. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the oscillator circuit 30 may be electrically coupled to the programmable processor 26, the radio frequency transceiver 24, the motion sensor 22, and the communication circuitry 25.

In operation, the motion sensor 22 of the circuit board assembly 20B may be tuned to operate at the frequency of the radio frequency transceiver 24 and may use the radio frequency transceiver 24 to detect motion in an area proximate to the smart light bulb 10. Further, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to direct the oscillator circuit 30 to switch between electrically coupling the motion sensor 22 to the radio frequency transceiver 24 or electrically coupling the communication circuitry 25 to the radio frequency transceiver. In some embodiments, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to periodically direct the oscillator circuit 30 to switch between electrically coupling the motion sensor 22 to the radio frequency transceiver 24 or electrically coupling the communication circuitry 25 to the radio frequency transceiver 24.

In some embodiments, the operations described in connection with circuit board assembly 20A of fig. 2 may be performed by circuit board assembly 20B depending on which device radio-frequency transceiver 24 is coupled to. For example, when the oscillator circuit 30 electrically couples the communication circuitry 25 to the radio frequency transceiver 24, the programmable processor 26 may be configured to connect to a first wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver 24 and create a second wireless network via the radio frequency transceiver 24 using the communication circuitry 25. Similarly, when the oscillator circuit 30 electrically couples the motion sensor 22 to the radio frequency transceiver 24, the motion sensor 22 may be configured to detect the presence of motion. In some embodiments, in response to motion sensor 22 detecting the presence of motion, programmable processor 26 may be configured to direct oscillator circuit 30 to electrically couple communication circuitry 25 to radio frequency transceiver 24 so that programmable processor 26 may broadcast a signal indicative of the presence of motion over the first network or the second network using communication circuitry 25.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a circuit board assembly 20C for use in the motion sensing smart light bulb 10, according to an exemplary embodiment. As schematically shown in fig. 5, the circuit board assembly 20C may be similar to the circuit board assembly 20A of fig. 2 and the circuit board assembly 20B of fig. 3 and 4. However, the circuit board assembly 20C may not be provided with the motion sensor 22. Alternatively, the circuit board assembly 20C may use a software-based solution implemented in the communication circuitry 25 and/or programmable processor 26 in place of the functions of the motion sensor 22 as described herein. In particular, the communication circuitry 25 and/or programmable processor 26 may utilize the radio frequency transceiver 24 to transmit pulses of low energy signals (e.g., microwave signals or Wi-Fi signals) to detect motion.

While certain selected exemplary embodiments have been described above in detail, other embodiments that modify the aforementioned components, structures, or operations are within the scope of the invention. For example, the logic flows described above do not require the particular order described, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific systems or methods illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.