Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
89003-160D1
TITLE: INTELLIGENT LIGHT BULB AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USE
IN CONFIGURING SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of light bulbs, and more
particularly to a
method, device and system for configuring and updating firmware in such light
bulbs to
control light intensity and color emitted by such devices.
BACKGROUND
Electronic controllers are commonly used to control the functioning of
intelligent light bulb
and lighting devices amongst many others.
A same hardware platform can be used in a controller for different
variations/models of an
intelligent light bulb and lighting devices, where the variations/models may
be perceptible
for example in terms of the features provided by the device and/or color of
the light emitted
by the device. Adapting a hardware platform of an electronic controller to
different
variations/models of a device sometimes merely amounts to installing different
associated
software options in a programmable memory of the hardware platform. Such a
process is
typically referred to as programming or loading the firmware of the
controller. Using a
same hardware platform for different variations/models of a device may present
advantages
in terms of design and production costs since that same hardware platform can
be built and
used in connection with multiple end devices/systems.
The installation of software options on a hardware platform of an electronic
controller is
typically performed by the device manufacturer on an assembly line.
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
A deficiency associated with many conventional methods for installing such
software
options is that they typically require that the electronic controllers, or
portions thereof, be
activated (for example by plugging them into an external source of electrical
power) prior
to and during the installation of the software options. This requirement
implies a level of
complexity for the assembly line since the latter must be configured with
power outlets and
connectors for supplying power to the electronic controllers. It also requires
that the
electronic controllers be physically connected to such power outlets and
connectors, by
people or machines for example. This in turn adds to the manufacturing cost of
the device.
A related deficiency associated with conventional methods for installing
software options
on electronic controllers of the type presented above is that, once an
electronic controller is
packaged for shipment, there are no easy techniques for allowing the
electronic controller
to be configured (or reconfigured) without removing the electronic controller
from the
packaging and without activating it. As such, the packaging of the electronic
controller is
often delayed to until after the software options have been installed.
Another deficiency associated with conventional methods for installing
software options on
electronic controllers of the type presented above is that, in order to update
the firmware of
the electronic controller, for example to add additional features and/or to
correct a defect in
the software currently loaded on the electronic controller, the controller
must again be
activated, which in some cases may not be desirable or even possible.
With respect to intelligent light bulbs, yet another challenge associated with
conventional
methods for updating firmware of electronic controllers integrated into such
light bulbs is
that there is no suitable way to access the processor inside the bulb to
reprogram it and/or
update it, for example to add additional features and/or to correct a defect
in the software
currently loaded in the light bulb and/or change the color of the light
generated by the light
bulb, once the light bulb is manufactured.
2
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
In the above cases, the process of configuring or updating the firmware of
electronic
controllers is either not available or is inconvenient, cumbersome and/or
expensive.
In light of the above, it can be seen that there is a need in the industry for
a method, system
and device that is able to alleviate, at least in part, the deficiencies
associated with the
traditional methods of configuring the firmware of electronic controllers.
SUMMARY
In accordance with a first aspect, an intelligent light bulb is provided. The
intelligent light
bulb comprises an LED lighting element and a programmable controller in
communication
with the LED lighting element. The programmable controller comprises:
i) firmware storing instructions for controlling operations of the LED
lighting
element, the firmware including a passive memory component, wherein the
passive memory component includes a near field communication memory
(NFC memory), the firmware being responsive to a signal carrying firmware
update information received over a wireless communication link from a device
external to the intelligent light bulb for causing a firmware update process
to
be performed to modify the instructions of the firmware based on the update
information carried by the signal; and
ii) a processing unit in communication with the firmware, the processing
unit
being programmed for operating the LED lighting element at least in part in
accordance with the instructions of the firmware.
In specific practical implementations, the firmware is responsive to the
signal carrying
firmware update information received over the wireless communication link from
the
device external to the intelligent light bulb for:
(1) drawing energy from the signal to activate the passive memory component;
and
3
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
(2) causing the firmware update process to be performed to modify the
instructions of the firmware based on the update information carried by the
signal, at least part of the firmware update process being performed while
the passive memory component remains activated using energy drawn from
the signal.
In accordance with a specific implementation, the passive memory component is
configured to be responsive to the signal carrying firmware update
infolination received
from the external device for causing at least part of the firmware update
process to be
performed in the absence of electrical power being supplied to the
programmable
controller. In a specific practical implementation, at least part of the
firmware update
process is perfomied using the signal as the sole source of electrical energy.
In accordance with specific practical implementations, the firmware stores
program code
implementing a set of light bulb configurations including at least a first
light bulb
configuration and a light bulb second configuration. In such implementation,
the firmware
update information may convey an access code associated with a specific light
bulb
configuration from the set of light bulb configuration so that, following the
performance of
the firmware update process, the processing unit operates the intelligent
light bulb in
accordance with the specific light bulb configuration associated with the
access code. In
specific practical implementations, the processing unit may be programmed for
selecting
the specific configuration from the set of light bulb configurations at least
in part by
processing the access code to select a portion of the instructions stored on
the firmware,
where the selected portion of the instruction implements the specific light
bulb
configuration.
In specific implementations, the LED lighting element may comprise multiple
LED light
components characterized in that operating in specific manners specific
subsets of the LED
light components may allow respective distinct light colors to be generated by
the light
4
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
bulb. The instructions of the firmware may enable operating at least one
specific subset of
the LED light components in at least one specific manner. For example,
operating in a
specific manner a first subset of the LED light components may causes a first
light color, or
first color temperature, to be generated by the light bulb while operating in
a specific
manner a second subset of the LED light components may cause a second light
color, or
second color temperature, to be generated by the light bulb, where the first
light color may
be visually distinguishable from the second light color. In a non-limiting
implementations,
the first light color may be a first white light color associated with a first
specific color
temperature and the second light color may be a second white light color
associated with a
IR second specific color temperature or may be any other suitable light
color.
In a specific implementation, the passive memory component is configured for
communicating with the device external to the light bulb over a radio
frequency (RF)
communication link, such as for example a short range RF communication link,
established
between the passive memory component and the device external to the light
bulb.
In a very specific practical implementation, the device external to the system
from which
the signal carrying firmware update infounation is received is embodied in an
NFC enabled
computing device. Advantageously, the use of an NFC memory on the controller
allows
the firmware update process to be performed in the absence of a source of
electrical power
to the controller using energy drawn from the signal transmitted by the NFC
enabled
computing device.
In accordance with another aspect, an auxiliary device suitable for
configuring an
intelligent light bulb is provided. The intelligent light bulb comprises an
LED lighting
element and a programmable controller for operating the LED lighting element,
the
programmable controller comprising firmware storing instructions for
controlling
operations of the LED lighting element, the firmware including a passive
memory
component including a near field communication memory (NFC memory), the
5
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
=
89003-160D1
programmable controller being programmed for operating the intelligent light
bulb at least
in part in accordance with the instructions stored on the firmware. The
auxiliary device
comprises:
a) a communication interface suitable for communicating with the programmable
controller of the intelligent light bulb over a wireless communication link;
b) a processing unit in communication with the communication interface
programmed
for transmitting a signal over the wireless communication link to the
intelligent
light bulb carrying firmware update information associated with the
intelligent light
bulb, the signal being configured for:
i) causing the
passive memory component of the programmable controller to
be activated by drawing energy from said signal; and
ii) causing a firmware update process to be performed by the controller
to
modify the instructions of the firmware based on the update information
carried by the signal, at least part of said firmware update process being
performed by the controller while the passive memory component remains
activated using energy drawn from said signal.
In specific implementations, the wireless communication link may be a radio
frequency
(RF) communication link and the signal carrying the fiiinware update
information
associated with the intelligent light bulb may be an RF signal. In
practical
implementations, the (RF) communication link is a short range RF communication
link.
The auxiliary device may be embodied in an NFC enabled computing device,
including for
example a smartphone or tablet.
In specific implementations, the firmware update information carried by the
signal may
include program code implementing a specific light bulb configuration
associated with a
specific variation of the intelligent light bulb. In such implementations, the
firmware
6
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
update process may cause the program code implementing the specific light bulb
configuration to be stored on the firmware of the controller to enable the
controller of the
intelligent light bulb to operate the intelligent light bulb based on the
specific light bulb
configuration implemented by the program code. In a specific practical
implementation,
the LED lighting element may comprise multiple LED light components
characterized in
that operating in specific manners specific subsets of the LED light
components may allow
respective distinct light colors to be generated by the light bulb. In
such an
implementation, the specific light bulb configuration implemented by the
firmware update
information may be associated with at least one specific distinct subset of
the LED light
components so that the intelligent light bulb is caused to generate a
corresponding specific
light color when operated in a specific manner.
In specific alternate implementations, the firmware update information carried
by the signal
may store program code implementing a set of configurations including at least
a first
configuration and a second configuration. In such specific alternate
implementations, the
firmware update information carried by the signal may convey an access code
associated
with a specific one of the first configuration and the second configuration.
The firmware
update process may cause the access code to be stored on the passive memory
component
of the firmware to enable the controller to select the specific one of the
first configuration
and the second configuration to which the access code is associated and to
operate the
intelligent light bulb in accordance with the selected specific one of the
first configuration
and the second configuration.
In specific implementations, the firmware update information carried by the
signal may
include program code implementing a set of configurations including at least a
first
configuration and a second configuration.
In a first example in which the LED lighting element comprises multiple LED
light
components, the first configuration may be for enabling the controller of the
intelligent
7
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
light bulb to operate a first subset set of components of the LED light
components and the
second configuration may be for enabling the controller of the intelligent
light bulb to
operate a second subset of the LED light components.
In a second example, the first configuration may be for enabling the
programmable
controller to operate the intelligent light bulb in a first manner and the
second configuration
may be for enabling the controller to operate the intelligent light bulb to
control in a second
manner.
In accordance with another aspect, a method for configuring an intelligent
light bulb is
provided wherein the intelligent light bulb comprises an LED lighting element
and a
programmable controller for operating the LED lighting element. The
programmable
controller comprises firmware storing instructions for controlling operations
of the LED
lighting element, wherein the firmware includes a passive memory component
including a
near field communication memory (NFC memory) and the programmable controller
is
programmed for operating the intelligent light bulb at least in part in
accordance with the
instructions stored on the firmware. The method comprises using an auxiliary
device to
obtaining firmware update information associated with the intelligent light
bulb and using
the auxiliary intelligent light bulb to transmit a signal carrying the
firmware update
information to the intelligent light bulb over a wireless communication link.
The signal is
configured for causing a firmware update process to be performed to modify the
instructions of the firmware based on the update information carried by the
signal.
In specific implementations, the firmware is responsive to the signal carrying
firmware
update information received over the wireless communication link from the
device external
to the intelligent light bulb for drawing energy from the signal to activate
the passive
memory component and for causing the firmware update process to be performed
to
modify the instructions of the firmware based on the update information
carried by the
8
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-1601)1
signal. At least part of the firmware update process may be performed while
the passive
memory component remains activated using energy drawn from the signal.
In specific implementations, the firmware update information carried by the
signal may
include program code implementing a specific light bulb configuration
associated with a
specific variation of the intelligent light bulb. For such implementations,
the firmware
update process may cause the program code implementing the specific light bulb
configuration to be stored on the firmware of the controller to enable the
controller of the
intelligent light bulb to operate the intelligent light bulb based on the
specific light bulb
configuration implemented by the program code.
In accordance with another aspect, a manufacturing process for an intelligent
light bulb is
provided wherein the intelligent light bulb comprises an LED lighting element
and a
controller for operating the LED lighting element, the controller comprising
fimaware
including a passive memory component and storing instructions for controlling
operations
of the LED lighting element. The controller is configurable for operating a
specific one of
a plurality of variations of the intelligent light bulb at least in part in
dependence of
instructions stored on the firmware, the manufacturing process implementing a
method of
the type describe above for configuring the intelligent light bulb.
In accordance with another aspect, a computer program product is provided,
tangibly stored
on one or more tangible computer readable storage media, for configuring an
intelligent
light bulb. The intelligent light bulb comprises an LED lighting element and a
programmable controller for operating the LED lighting element, the
programmable
controller comprising firmware including a passive memory component including
a near
field communication memory (NFC memory) and storing instructions for
controlling
operations of the intelligent light bulb. The programmable controller is
programmed for
operating the intelligent light bulb at least in part in accordance with the
instructions stored
on the firmware. The program product comprises instructions that, when
executed, cause a
9
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
programmable device including at least one programmable processor to implement
a
method of the type describe above for configuring the intelligent light bulb.
In accordance with another aspect, an intelligent light bulb is provided. The
intelligent
light bulb comprises and a lighting element comprising multiple light
components
characterized in that operating in specific manners specific subsets of the
light components
allows respective distinct light colors to be generated by the light bulb. The
intelligent
light bulb also comprises a programmable controller in communication with the
lighting
element. The programmable controller comprises firmware storing instructions
for
controlling operations of the lighting element, the firmware including a
passive memory
component and being responsive to a signal carrying firmware update
information received
over a wireless communication link from a device external to the intelligent
light bulb for
causing a firmware update process to be performed to modify the instructions
of the
firmware based on the update information carried by the signal. The
programmable
controller also comprises a processing unit in communication with the
firmware, the
processing unit being programmed for operating the lighting element at least
in part in
accordance with the instructions of the firmware. The instructions of the
firmware enable
the processing unit to control operations of specific subsets of the light
components so that
the intelligent light bulb is caused to generate a corresponding specific
light color when
operated in a specific manner.
In specific implementations, operating in specific manners specific subsets of
the light
components may allow for respective distinct white light colors to be
generated by the light
bulb including at least a first white light color associated with a first
specific color
temperature and a second white light color associated with a second specific
color
temperature. In non-limiting implementations, the white light colors may
include light
colors such as "warm white", "soft white" and "bright white" for example.
In accordance with another aspect, an intelligent light bulb is provided. The
intelligent light
bulb comprises and an LED lighting element and a programmable controller in
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
communication with the LED lighting element. The programmable controller
comprises a
passive memory component including a near field communication memory (NFC
memory). The passive memory component is responsive to a signal received over
a
wireless communication link from a device external to the intelligent light
bulb for causing
an update process to be performed to modify information stored on the passive
memory
component based on information carried by the signal. The programmable
controller also
comprises a processing unit in communication with the passive memory component
programmed for operating the LED lighting element at least in part in
accordance with
instructions stored on the passive memory component.
In accordance with another aspect, an intelligent lighting device is provided,
comprising:
a) a lighting element configured for generating a plurality of distinct light
colors;
b) a programmable controller in communication with said lighting element, said
programmable controller comprising:
i) a first wireless communication interface;
ii) a memory module in communication with said first wireless communication
interface, said memory module having stored thereon instructions for
controlling operations of the lighting element;
iii) a second wireless communication interface different from the first
wireless
communication interface;
iv) a processing unit in communication with said memory module and said
second wireless communication interface, said processing unit being
responsive to instruction signals received via said second wireless
communication interface for operating the lighting element at least in part by
processing the instructions in the memory module and control instructions
carried by the instruction signals, wherein the instructions in the memory
module are configured for causing the processing unit to control operations of
the lighting element so that the intelligent lighting device is caused to
generate
a corresponding specific light color from said plurality of distinct light
colors;
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
v)
said memory module being configured to be responsive to an update signal
received via the first wireless communication interface, the update signal
including program code conveying a specific lighting device configuration for
modifying the instructions stored on the memory module to modify the
corresponding specific light color generated by the lighting device according
to the specific lighting device configuration conveyed by the program code.
In accordance with another aspect, a method for controlling an intelligent
lighting device is
provided. The intelligent lighting device comprises a lighting element and a
programmable
controller, the programmable controller comprising a memory module having
stored
thereon instructions for controlling operations of the lighting element, the
lighting element
being configured for generating a plurality of distinct light colors. The
method comprises:
a) providing program code conveying a specific lighting device configuration
to the
intelligent lighting device, the program code being sent in an update signal
over a
first wireless communication link established with a first wireless
communication
interface of the programmable controller, the update signal being configured
for
modifying the instructions stored on the memory module of the programmable
controller of the intelligent lighting device, the instructions configuring
the
intelligent lighting device in accordance with the specific lighting device
configuration, wherein the specific lighting device configuration implemented
by
the program code is associated with at least one specific manner of operating
the
lighting element so that the intelligent lighting device is caused to generate
a
corresponding specific light color from the plurality of distinct colors;
b) providing control instructions to the intelligent lighting device, the
control
instructions being sent in an instruction signal over a second wireless
communication link established with a second wireless communication interface
of the programmable controller, wherein the second wireless communication
interface is different from the first wireless communication interface, the
programmable controller being responsive to the instruction signal received
via
I 1 a
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
said second wireless communication interface for operating the lighting device
at
least in part by processing the control instructions carried by the
instruction signal
and instructions stored in the memory module so that the intelligent lighting
device operates the lighting element in accordance with the specific lighting
device configuration.
In accordance with another aspect, an intelligent lighting device is provided,
comprising:
a) a lighting element;
b) a programmable controller in communication with said lighting element, said
programmable controller comprising:
i) a first wireless communication interface;
ii) a memory module in communication with said first wireless communication
interface, said memory module having stored thereon instructions for
controlling operations of the lighting element, said memory module being
configured to be responsive to an update signal carrying update information
received over a first wireless communication link established via the first
wireless communication interface for modifying the instructions stored in the
memory module based on the update information carried by the update signal;
iii) a second wireless communication interface different from the first
wireless
communication interface; and
iv) a processing unit in communication with said memory module and said
second wireless communication interface, said processing unit being
responsive to an instruction signal carrying control instructions received
over a
second wireless communication link established via said second wireless
communication interface for operating the lighting element at least in part by
processing the instructions stored in the memory module and the control
instructions carried by the instruction signal.
1 lb
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
In accordance with another aspect, an auxiliary device configured for
controlling an
intelligent lighting device is provided, the intelligent lighting device
comprising a lighting
element and a programmable controller, the programmable controller comprising
a
memory module having stored thereon instructions for controlling operations of
the
lighting element, the lighting element being configured for generating a
plurality of distinct
light colors. The auxiliary device comprises:
a) a first wireless communication interface for communicating with the
programmable
controller over a first wireless communication link;
b) a second wireless communication interface for communicating with the
programmable controller over a second wireless communication link, the second
communication interface being different from the first communication
interface;
c) a processing unit in communication with the first communication interface
and with
the second communication interface for, said processing unit being configured
for:
i) providing program code conveying a specific lighting device
configuration
to the intelligent lighting device, the program code being sent in an update
signal over the first wireless communication link established with the
programmable controller via the first wireless communication interface, the
update signal being configured for causing the programmable controller of the
intelligent lighting device to perform an update process to modify the
instructions stored on the memory module of the programmable controller of
the intelligent lighting device, the instructions configuring the intelligent
lighting device in accordance with the specific lighting device configuration,
wherein the specific lighting device configuration implemented by the
program code is associated with at least one specific manner of operating the
lighting element so that the intelligent lighting device is caused to generate
a
corresponding specific light color from the plurality of distinct colors;
ii) providing control instructions to the intelligent lighting device, the
control
instructions being sent in an instruction signal over the second wireless
communication link established with the programmable controller via the
1 lc
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
second wireless communication interface, the programmable controller being
responsive to the instruction signal received via said second wireless
communication interface for operating the lighting device at least in part by
processing the control instructions carried by the instruction signal and
instructions stored in the memory module so that the intelligent lighting
device
operates the lighting element in accordance with the specific lighting device
configuration.
These and other aspects and features of the present invention will now become
apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of
specific
embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings.
lid
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 shows a diagram of an intelligent light bulb and an auxiliary device
for
configuration the light bulb in accordance with a non-limiting example of
implementation
of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a functional block diagram of a programmable controller part of
the
intelligent light bulb depicted in Figure 1 and of the auxiliary device also
depicted in
Figure 1 in accordance with a non-limiting example of implementation of the
present
invention;
Figure 3 shows a specific example of an auxiliary device having a display
screen on which
a user interface in accordance with a non-limiting example of implementation
is displayed
for use in configuring an intelligent light bulb of the type depicted in
Figure 1 in
accordance with a non-limiting example of implementation of the present
invention;
Figures 4 and 5 are flow diagrams of processes for configuring the
programmable
controller shown in Figure 2 using the auxiliary device shown in Figure 3 in
accordance
with a non-limiting example of implementation of the present invention;
Figure 6A shows a conceptual block diagram of a portion of an assembly line
used for
configuring intelligent light bulbs of the type depicted in Figure 1 in
accordance with a first
non-limiting example of implementation of the present invention;
Figure 6B shows a plurality of intelligent light bulbs packaged in boxes and
stacked for
storage and/or shipment and an auxiliary device for configuring the packaged
intelligent
12
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
light bulbs in accordance with a second non-limiting example of implementation
of the
present invention;
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to
those ordinarily
skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific
embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 of the drawings shows an intelligent light bulb 50 in accordance with
a non-
limiting embodiment. In the specific example depicted, the intelligent light
bulb 50 is
embodied to resemble a conventional incandescent light bulb and, in this
regard, includes
an electrical contact 51 for establishing an electrical connect with a source
of electrical
power via a complementary socket (not shown), a screw cap 52 and a translucent
envelop
454. The translucent envelop 454 may be made of glass or any other material
suitable for
such envelop, including plastic, and may be of any suitable shape.
It is to be appreciated that which the example depicted in the figures shows
an intelligent
light bulb 50 having resembling a conventional incandescent light bulb, other
configurations are possible and will become apparent to the person skilled in
the art in view
of the present description. For example, while the coupling with an electrical
socket has
been shown as including the electrical contact 51 and a screw cap 52, other
configurations
may be used in which the screw cap 52 may be replaced by any other type of
suitable
connector for engaging the light bulb within a socket.
Within the translucent envelop 454 are found connecting wires 56 for providing
electrical
power to a programmable controller 120 and a lighting element 122. In the
embodiment
depicted the lighting element 122 is comprised of multiple LED light
components. While
the present document will describe embodiments in which the lighting element
122 makes
13
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
of LED light components, it is to be understood that other light types may
also be used in
alternate implementations.
The programmable controller 120 comprises firmware storing instructions for
controlling
operations of the lighting element 122. In a non-limiting implementation, the
instructions
stored on the firmware may control the color and/or intensity of the light
that is generated
by the intelligent light bulb 50. Alternatively, the instructions stored on
the firmware may
control the manner in which the intelligent light bulb 50 operates, for
example by providing
features such as dimming functionality and special lighting effects and/or
lighting patterns
for example.
The programmable controller 120 includes components responsive to a signal
carrying
firmware update information received over a wireless communication link 175
from an
auxiliary device 150 external to the intelligent light bulb 50 for causing a
firmware update
process to be performed to modify the instructions of the firmware based on
the update
information carried by the signal. Once the instructions in the firmware
modified, the
programmable controller 120 operates the LED lighting element at least in part
in
accordance with the instructions of the firmware.
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the programmable controller 120 and of
the
auxiliary device 150 used for configuring the intelligent light bulb 50 shown
in Figure 1 in
accordance with a specific example of implementation of the present invention.
The auxiliary device 150 and the controller 120 of the intelligent light bulb
50 are
configured to establish a communication link 175 therebetween for enabling the
controller
120 to receive information from, and/or transmit information to, the auxiliary
device 150
even in the absence of electrical power being supplied to the controller 120
by an external
electrical power source. As will be described in more detail below, the
concepts presented
here may be used for example for one or more of the following:
14
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
(1) to allow the auxiliary device 150 to provide firmware update information
to the
controller 120 even in the absence of electrical power being supplied to the
controller
120 by an external electrical power source;
(2) to allow the controller 120 to provide diagnostic information associated
with the
operation of the intelligent light bulb 50 to the auxiliary device 150 even in
the absence
of electrical power being supplied to the controller 120 by an external
electrical power
source.
The description presented here focuses more particularly on the purpose
identified in (1)
above, namely allowing the auxiliary device 150 to provide firmware update
information to
the controller 120 even in the absence of electrical power being supplied to
the controller
120 by an external electrical power source. However the person skilled in the
art, in light
of the present description, will readily appreciate how the auxiliary device
150 and the
controller 120 may be modified in to achieve the purpose identified in (2).
Each of these components 120 and 150, as well examples of the manners in which
they
may interact, will now be described in greater detail.
Programmable controller 120
As shown, the programmable controller 120 includes a hardware platform having
firmware
124, including a passive memory component 190, and a processing unit 122 in
communication with the firmware 124. In the embodiment described, the
controller 120 is
positioned within the translucent envelop 454 of the light bulb 50 (shown in
Figure 1) and
is used for controlling the operation of the intelligent light bulb 50 and, in
particular, the
operation of the lighting element 122 of the intelligent light bulb 50.
The programmable controller 120 is equipped with the necessary circuitry and
ports to
allow it to receive, during operation, electrical power from any suitable
external source
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-1601111
electrical power (not shown in the figures). In the example depicted, the
connection of
programmable controller 120 to a suitable external source of electrical power
is depicted as
port 31, which connects to connecting wires 56 (shown in Figure 1). Port 31 is
connected
to connecting wires 56 during manufacturing and, during nonnal operation, port
31 as well
as programmable controller 120 cannot be physically accessed as they are
positioned
within translucent envelop 454.
Connecting wires 56 connect the programmable controller 120, via electrical
contact 51
(shown in Figure 1), to a suitable external source of electrical power via
service wiring to
supply the programmable controller 120 with any conventional power service
suitable for
residential or commercial use. In a second non-limiting example, the external
source of
electrical power may be in the form of a battery pack associated with the
programmable
controller 120.
.. In the embodiment depicted, the programmable controller 120 includes
component control
ports 58 (including in this embodiment component control ports 58a, 58b...58x)
for
communicating with subsets of light components of the lighting element 122 it
is
configured to control and one or more input interface ports 59 (including in
this
embodiment input interface ports 59a, 59b) for receiving control signals for
the light bulb
50 the programmable controller 120 is made to control. While in the example of
Figure 2
the controller 120 is shown as having a set including three component control
ports 58a,
58b, 58x and two input interface ports 59a and 59b, it should be understood
that in practical
implementation, the controller 120 may be equipped with any suitable number of
component control ports and any suitable number of input interface ports in
dependence on
the number of lighting components, or subsets of lighting components, it is
configured to
control. In addition, in certain alternate implementations, input interface
ports 59a and 59b
may be omitted.
16
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
=
89003-160D1
The programmable controller 120 may use the electrical power it receives from
the external
power source through port 31to operate the processing unit 122. The processing
unit 122
of the programmable controller 120 is also configured to control the
distribution of power
received through port 31 to the subsets of components of the lighting element
122 through
the set of component control ports 58 based on program instructions stored in
the firmware
124 and optionally based on information received through input interface ports
59 in order
to cause the desired functionality to be implemented by the intelligent light
bulb 50.
Having regard to the distribution of the electrical power to subsets of
components by the
controller 120, it noted that suitable circuitry, such as relays, switches and
the like (not
shown), may also be provided on a suitable hardware platform.
In the example of implementation depicted, the ports in the set of component
control ports
58a.. x may be made to be respectively connected to one or more LED lighting
elements and
(optionally) the input interface ports 59 may be made to be in communication
with a user
operable control. The component control ports 58 may thus each be associated
to
respective subsets of LED lighting elements, wherein each subset may include
one or more
LED lighting elements. In addition, in specific practical implementations,
certain LED
lighting elements may be connected to more than one component control ports 58
so that
there may be overlap in the composition of the different subsets.
Alternatively, the LED
lighting elements may be connected to respective component control ports 58 so
that there
is no overlap in the composition of the different subsets. The specific manner
in which the
lighting elements are connected to respective component control ports 58 is
not critical and
may vary between implementations.
In a specific practical example in which one or more input interface ports 59
are provided,
at least one of the input interface ports 59 may be in the form of a wireless
receiver. In this
example, the processing unit 122 may control the supply of power to the LED
light
elements to control for example, the activation of the light bulb, the dimming
intensity of
the light bulb, the color of the light emitted by the light bulb and/or to
create special
17
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
lighting effects, based upon the program instructions stored in the firmware
124 and based
upon instruction signals received from the user operable controls through
ports 59.
In practical implementations, the hardware platform of the controller 120 will
typically
include one or more circuit boards on which various circuit elements,
including the passive
memory component 190, will be provided and interconnected for enabling the
desired
functionality. The hardware platform of the controller 120 is enclosed within
the
translucent envelop 454 (shown in Figure 1) of the intelligent light bulb 50.
It is a feature of the programmable controller 120 that it can be adapted to
control different
variations/models of an intelligent light bulb in part by installing different
associated
software options in the firmware 124. Of particular interest in the present
document is the
configuration/updating of the firmware 124 of the programmable controller 120
in the
absence of electrical power being supplied to the controller 120 by an
external electrical
power source through port 31. As such, the particularity of the functionality
and circuitry
required for receiving electrical power from an electric power source through
port 31
during operation and for distributing electrical power to different components
through the
set of ports 58 is not critical and will not be described further here.
As mentioned above, the programmable controller 120 includes firmware 124 and
a
processing unit 122. The processing unit 122 is programmed for operating the
light bulb
50 taking into account instructions and/or data stored on the firmware 124,
which allows
the controller 122 to be used for different variations/models of the light
bulb 50 (where the
variations/models may be perceptible for example in terms of the features
provided by the
light bulb) based on the program instructions stored on the firmware 124.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the firmware 124 includes a
passive memory
component 190. Optionally the firmware 124 may also include an additional
memory
component 180, which may be of a conventional (or non-passive) memory type.
The
18
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
additional memory unit 180 may store instructions and/or data for controlling
the operation
of the device or system in addition to the instructions and/or data stored on
the passive
memory component 190. Optionally in such cases, the processing unit 122 once
activated
may make use of instructions and/or data stored on the passive memory
component 190 to
modify, select, or replace instructions in the memory unit 180. In the
embodiment
depicted, the optional memory unit 180 is of any suitable conventional type
and may
require an external source of electrical power in order to operate.
The passive memory component 190 for the firmware 124 does not require
electrical power
to function but rather can operate by drawing electrical power from specific
types of
signals it is configured for receiving. In a first practical implementation,
the passive
memory component 190 is built with any suitable hardware components responsive
to
radio frequency (RF) signals for drawing energy from such signals in such a
way as to
activate the passive memory component 190.
In practical implementations, the passive memory component 190 may include any
suitable
commercially available near field communication memory (NFC memory).
Generally speaking, near field communication (NFC) is a communication
standards for
allowing devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching
them
together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more than a few
inches although
greater ranges are also possible. In specific implementations using NFC,
theoretical
working distance with compact standard antennas is currently up to about 20
cm, however
the practical working distance is about 4 cm. Current NFC standards cover
communications protocols and data exchange formats, and are based on existing
radio-
frequency identification (RFID) standards including ISO/1EC 14443 and FeliCa.
NFC
builds upon RFID systems by allowing two-way communication between endpoints,
where
earlier systems such as contactless smart cards were one-way only. Generally
speaking,
near-field communication uses magnetic induction between two loop antennas
located
19
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
within each other's near field, effectively forming an air-core transformer.
In a non-limiting
implementation, NFC devices operate within the globally available and
unlicensed radio
frequency ISM band of 13.56 MHz, although any suitable RF band can be
contemplated in
alternative implementations.
NFC memory devices of the type contemplated are caused to be activated by a
radio
frequency (RF) signal transmitted by an NFC enabled auxiliary device 150.
Typically such
RF signal will be transmitted over a short range RF communication link
established
between the passive memory component 190 and an external device, such as the
auxiliary
device 150. Alternatively the passive memory component 190 may include an RFID
memory instead of an NFC memory. In such an alternative implementation, the
RFID
memory is configured to be activated by a radio frequency (RF) signal
transmitted by an
auxiliary device 150 equipped with an RFID transponder. The controller 120
also includes
an interface 192 allowing signals originating from an external device and
directed to the
passive memory component 190 to propagate so that is reaches the passive
memory
component 190.
Once the passive memory component 190 is activated by the signal carrying
firmware
update information originating from the auxiliary device 150, the firmware
update
information in the signal causes a firmware update process to be performed on
the
firmware 124. In particular, at least part of the firmware update process is
performed in the
absence of electrical power being supplied to the programmable controller 120.
In specific
practical implementations, at least part of the firmware update process may be
performed
using the signal as the sole source of electrical energy. The firmware update
process may
modify and/or replace program instructions and/or data stored on the passive
memory
component 190 based on the firmware update information carried by the signal.
At least
part of the firmware update process is performed on the passive memory
component 190 of
the firmware 124 while the passive memory component 190 remains activated
using energy
drawn from the signal received from the auxiliary device 150.
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
The manner in which the programmable controller 120 can be configured for
different
variations/models of the light bulb 50 (shown in figure 1) can be done in
different manners,
two of which will be described for the purpose of illustration.
In accordance with a first non-limiting embodiment, the structure and software
required for
the different available variations/models of the device are already stored
within the
firmware 124 of controller 120. In other words, the firmware 124 is pre-
programmed such
that it includes the structure and the different sets of program instructions
necessary for
causing the controller 120 to acquire different configurations, each
configuration being
associated with a respective variation/model of the intelligent light bulb 50.
In a non-
limiting practical implementation, such instructions may be stored on the
additional
memory unit 180 however it is to be understood that such instructions or a
portion
therefore may alternatively be stored on the passive memory component 190.
In accordance with the second non-limiting embodiment, program instructions
for different
available variations/models of a device or system are not pre-stored within
the firmware
124. Instead, in order to configure the controller 120 for a specific
variations/model of the
intelligent light bulb 50, program instructions for causing the controller 120
to acquire a
specific configuration are provided by an external source during a
configuration process
and stored on the firmware 124.
In specific practical examples, the different configurations may be associated
with different
operating characteristic of the intelligent light bulb including but without
being limited to
differences in light color emitted when the light bulb is activated and/or
different manners
of operating the light bulb, for example by providing dimming capabilities,
lighting
patterns, setting a specific desired light intensity or brightness, setting
minimum and/or
maximum light intensities or brightness (for example in cases of dimmable
light bulbs) or
other.
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
Examples of the manner in which the controller 120 may be configured for each
of the
above two situations will now be described in the sections that follow.
Pre-stored configurations on the firmware 124
Referring back to the first non-limiting embodiment in which structure and
software
required for the different available variations/models of the intelligent
light bulb 50 are
already stored within the firmware 124. The firmware 124 of the controller 120
stores a
first set of program instructions that when activated cause the controller 120
to acquire a
first configuration, and a second set of program instructions that when
activated cause the
controller 120 to acquire a second configuration. In a specific
implementation, the first
configuration is associated with a first specific variation/model of the
intelligent light bulb
50 that the controller is intended to control and the second configuration is
associated with
a second specific variation/model of the intelligent light bulb 50 that the
controller is
intended to control. Although only two sets of program instructions are
mentioned here, it
should be appreciated that any number of sets of program instructions could be
stored
within the firmware 124. The instructions may be stored on the passive
memory
component 190 and/or may be stored on the conventional memory component 180.
In order to cause the controller 120 to be configured for a specific
variations/model of the
intelligent light bulb 50, the controller 120 is caused to implement a given
set of program
instructions from the pre-stored sets of program instructions. As mentioned
above, the
different sets of program instructions are operative for causing the
controller 120 to acquire
different configurations.
In a non-limiting example, the controller 120 is used in a light bulb 50 that
includes a
lighting element 122 comprised of multiple light components 5124a..x,
characterized in that
operating in a specific manner specific subsets of the light components may
allow
respective distinct light colors to be generated by the light bulb. In a
practical
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
implementation, the lighting element 122 may be an LED-type of lighting
element and the
multiple light components 5124a..x may be of an LED type of light component.
In a specific example of implementation, the first set of program instructions
may be
operative for configuring the controller 120 to operate in a specific manner a
first subset of
the light components so as to allow the light bulb to generate a first
specific light color (or
first color temperature ) and the second set of program instructions may be
operative for
configuring the controller to operate in a specific manner a second subset of
the light
components so as to allow the light bulb to generate a second specific light
color (or second
color temperature). It is to be appreciated that the first subset may include
one or more
light components that are absent from the second subset of light components
(or vice
versa).
Alternatively, the first and second set of program instructions may cause the
controller 120
to control a same subset of light components, but the first set of program
instructions
configures the controller 120 to operate the intelligent light bulb in a first
manner while the
second set of program instructions is for enabling the controller to operate
the intelligent
light bulb to control in a second manner. For example, a same subset of light
components
may be used to generate different light colors by varying the manner in which
the
individual light components are operated, for example by varying their
individual intensity
of operation in order to achieve a desired light color (or color temperature).
Some other examples of manners of operating a light bulb may include, without
being
limited to:
a) enabling (or disabling) dimming functionality;
b) setting a desired light intensity or brightness of the light bulb by
selecting a specific
desired light intensity from a set, or from a range, of possible light
intensities. For
example, this may allow varying the intensity of the light bulb to achieve an
intensity resembling that of a 40W incandescent light bulb, 60W incandescent
light
bulb, a 100W incandescent light bulb or any other suitable lighting intensity.
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
c) setting a desired maximum and/or a minimum intensity (brightness) for the
light bulb
by selecting a maximum and/or a minimum intensity from a set, or from a range,
of
possible maximum and/or a minimum light intensities;
d)enabling (disabling) lighting patterns. Lighting patterns may include, for
example:
a. activating/deactivating light components over time; and/or
b. modifying light color over time; and/or
c. modifying light intensity over time.
Again, although only two sets of program instructions for configuring the
controller 120 in
o two different ways are being described herein, the controller 120 may be
suitable for pre-
storing any number of sets of program instructions for acquiring any suitable
number of
different configurations.
In accordance with a specific implementation, the information necessary for
causing the
controller 120 to acquire one of the configurations that has been pre-stored
within the
controller's firmware 124 is stored in the passive memory component 190 as
part of a
firmware update process. More specifically, the passive memory component 190
is
responsive to a signal carrying firmware update information received from the
auxiliary
device 150 for drawing energy from that signal to activate the passive memory
component
190 and causing at least part of a firmware update process to be performed.
The firmware update information carried by the received signal may be stored
on passive
memory component 190 and may be operative for configuring the controller 120
by
causing one of the pre-stored sets of program instructions to be implemented
such that the
controller 120 operates by executing the implemented set of program
instructions. The
information stored on the passive memory component 190 as part of the firmware
update
process may include an access code, or a set of program instructions, that may
be processed
by the processing unit 122 of the controller 120 for causing the controller
120 to select a set
24
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
of program instructions from the pre-stored set of program instructions on the
firmware
124.
In a specific implementation, part of the firmware update process may include
storing at
least part of the firmware update information on the passive memory component
190 while
the passive memory component 190 remains activated using energy drawn from the
signal
received from the auxiliary device 150.
In some embodiments, another part of the firmware update process may be
performed by
the processing unit 122 once it becomes activated using an external source of
electric
power. In particular, in a specific implementation, the processing unit 122,
once it
becomes activated using an external source of electric power, is configured
for processing
the information stored on passive memory component 190 in order to cause
controller 120
to acquire one of the configurations that has been pre-stored within the
controller's
firmware 124 as part of the firmware update process. The information stored on
the passive
memory component 190 and that allows the controller 120 to acquire one of the
configurations that has been pre-stored within the controller's firmware 124
may include a
single access code, or a single program element, that acts as a key to select
the appropriate
set of program instructions that are pre-stored within the firmware 124 of the
controller
120. In a non-limiting example, the processing unit 122 is programmed for
selecting the
specific configuration stored in the firmware 124 at least in part by
processing the access
code, or for executing the single program element, to select a portion of the
instructions
stored on the firmware 124, where the selected portion of the instruction
implements the
specific configuration.
Not all configurations pre-stored on the firmware 124
Referring now to the embodiment in which the firmware 124 of the controller
120 does not
store program instructions for all different available variations/models of
the intelligent
light bulb 50 that the controller may be configured to operate, firmware
update information
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
including a set of program instructions may be provided to the passive memory
component
190 through a signal originating from auxiliary device 150. The set of program
instructions is associated with a specific variation/model of the intelligent
light bulb 50 to
be controlled. As such, the signal received from the auxiliary device 150 and
conveying
firmware update information 160 is operative for configuring the controller
120 by causing
a set of program instructions to be uploaded to and stored on the passive
memory
component 190 of the controller 120.
Optional error log
Optionally, the processing unit 122 may further be programmed to maintain an
error log on
the passive memory component 190 of the firmware 124 to keep track of errors
and (or)
malfunctions that may occur during operation of the controller 120. For
example,
processing unit 122 may be programmed for storing on the passive memory
component
190 data conveying operational characteristics of the intelligent light bulb
50 it is
controlling, such as for example current/voltage characteristics, error
messages, data
conveying improper operation and the like. A person skilled in the art will
appreciated that
such infoimation stored in an error log may provide some insight and may
facilitate trouble
shooting by allowing the technician to access the data without have to
activate the
controller 120. The error log may include a variety of different types of data
associated
with the operation of the intelligent light bulb 50. The specific content of
the error log is
not critical to the invention and will therefore not be described in further
detail here.
In specific practical implementations, the passive memory component 190 of the
controller
120 may be comprised of distinct memory subcomponents, wherein each memory
subcomponent may store different types of data and/or instructions. For
example one
memory subcomponent may be for storing firmware update information in the form
of data
and/or instructions and another memory subcomponent may be for storing device
status
information (such as an error log). In such an implementation, the memory
subcomponent
storing the device status information may be responsive to a signal
originating from
26
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
auxiliary device 150 carrying a first type of information (a device status
request) while
another memory subcomponent may be for storing firmware update information and
may
be responsive to a signal carrying a second type of information (firmware
update
information).
Now that an example of a structure of the programmable controller 120 has been
presented,
we now turn to the auxiliary device 150.
Auxiliary device 150
As shown in Figure 2, the auxiliary device 150 includes a processing unit 202,
a memory
200 in communication with the processing unit 202 via a data communication bus
and a
communication interface 54. In practical implementations, the communication
interface 54
may include an RF transceiver to enable the auxiliary device 150 to
communicate with the
controller 120 over a short range RF communication link 175 established
between the
passive memory component 190 and the auxiliary device 150. Obviously, in order
for the
interface 54 on the auxiliary device 150 to establish a communication link
with the
interface 192 on the controller 120, the two types of interfaces 192 and 54
are configured to
be able to interact with one another.
In practical implementations in which the passive memory component 190
includes a near
field communication memory (NFC memory), the auxiliary device 150 is an NFC
enabled
device and the communication interface 54 includes an NFC transceiver. In this
particular
example, the auxiliary device 150 may be embodied as a NFC enabled PDA, NFC
enabled
smart phone, NFC enabled dedicated firmware update device or any other
suitable type of
NFC enabled device.
In practical implementations in which the passive memory component 190
includes a RFID
memory, the communication interface 54 includes an RFID transceiver.
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
The auxiliary device 150 is programmed with suitable software instructions 206
for
allowing the auxiliary device 150 to obtain and store in its memory 200
firmware update
information 160 in association with the programmable controller 120. The
auxiliary device
150 may obtain the firmware update information 160 in any number of suitable
ways
including, without being limited to: (i) accessing a remote server over a
network, wherein
remote server may store the firmware update information; (ii) receiving a
communication
(such as an e-mail message over a network from another device conveying the
firmware
update information ; and/or (iii) establishing a communication link over a
communication
interface with a memory device, such as a USB stick, wherein the memory device
stores
the firmware update information. Optionally the auxiliary device 150 may be
programmed
with suitable software instructions 206 for allowing the auxiliary device 150
to obtain and
store in its memory an error log (not shown) in association with the
programmable
controller 120.
The auxiliary device 150 is also programmed with suitable software
instructions 206 for
transmitting signals over a wireless communication link 175 established
between itself and
the controller 120.
In a specific example of implementation, a signal transmitted from the
auxiliary device 150
conveys firmware update information and is configured for causing the passive
memory
component 190 of the controller to be activated by drawing energy from that
signal.
Following this, the signal is configured for causing a firmware update process
to be
performed at the passive memory component 190 based on the update infounation
carried
by the signal. At least part of this update process can advantageously be
perfoimed while
the passive memory component 190 remains activated using energy drawn from the
signal
and without requiring electrical power to be supplied from an external source.
28
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
Referring back to the non-limiting embodiment in which structure and software
required
for the different available variations/models of the intelligent light bulb 50
(shown in
Figure 1) are already pre-stored within the firmware 124, the firmware update
information
160 within the auxiliary device 150 provides the information necessary for
causing the
controller 120 to acquire one of the pre-stored configurations. The firmware
update
infoimation 160 stored on the auxiliary device 150 may include a code, or a
set of program
instructions, for causing the controller 120 to select from the firmware 124 a
set of program
instructions from the pre-stored set of program instructions. The firmware
update
information 160 that is stored on the auxiliary device 150 may include a
single access code,
or a single program element, that acts as a key to select the appropriate set
of program
instructions that are pre-stored within the firmware 124 of the controller
120.
Referring now to the alternative non-limiting embodiment in which program
instructions
for different available variations/models of the intelligent light bulb 50 are
not all pre-
stored within the firmware 124 of the controller, the firmware update
information 160
provided by the auxiliary device 150 may include one or more sets of program
instructions
that can be uploaded to the controller 120, wherein each set of program
instructions is
associated with a respective configuration. The fitinware update information
160 may
include only a single set of program instructions associated to a specific
variation/model of
the device to be controlled. Alternatively, the firmware update information
160 stored on
the auxiliary device 150 can include a plurality of sets of program
instructions, such that
each set of program instructions would configure the controller 120 in a
different way and
be associated with a respective variations/model of the intelligent light bulb
50 to be
controlled by the controller 120. The appropriate set of program instructions
to be provided
to the controller 120 can be selected based on a selection made by a user,
and/or based on
an input of a serial number, and/or based on other selection criteria,
provided via an
interface provided on the auxiliary device 150.
29
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
In a non-limiting example of implementation, it is possible that the firmware
update
infaimation 160 includes a program element, such as an "autoexec" file, that
provides the
controller 120 with the necessary information to complete the configuration
process when
the controller is later activated after being connected to a source of
electrical power.
Figure 3 shows an auxiliary device 150 in the form of a smartphone 150' having
a display
screen on which a user interface 260 in accordance with a non-limiting example
of
implementation is displayed. The user interface 260 presents the user with a
set of user
selectable items 250, wherein each item in the set is associated with a
respective
variation/model of the intelligent light bulb 50 to be controlled by the
controller 120. In
the example depicted four variations/models of such the intelligent light bulb
50 in the
form of different light colors are provided as options namely: bright white,
soft white,
daylight and warm white. Each option for a variation/model of the intelligent
light bulb 50
is associated with corresponding firmware update information. The set of user
selectable
items 250 is provided with user operable controls, which in the example
depicted
variations/model of the intelligent light bulb 50 are in the form of radio
buttons, to enable a
user of the smart phone 150' to make a selection. The interface 260 is also
provided with a
control 252. When actuated, the control 252 causes the auxiliary device 150 to
generate
and transmit a signal to the controller 120 over communication link 175, the
signal carrying
firmware update information associated with the selected configuration. It is
to be
appreciated that the example depicted in Figure 3 is but one possible example
of
implementation and that many alternative embodiments are possible and will
become
apparent to the person skilled in the art in light of the present description.
The firmware update information carried by the signal transmitted from the
auxiliary
device 150 to the controller may convey, for example, program instructions,
data, and/or
one or more access codes associated with the sets of program instructions
stored in the
firmware 124 of the controller.
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
PROCESS FOR CONFIGURING CONTROLLER 120 OF THE LIGHT BULB 50
With reference to Figures 4 and 5, a specific process that may be implemented
for
configuring controller 120 using auxiliary device 150 for a specific
variation/model of an
intelligent light bulb will now be described. Figure 4 shows steps of this
process associated
with the auxiliary device 150 while Figure 5 shows steps associated with the
controller
120.
Starting with Figure 4, at step 300, firmware update information associated
with a specific
.. variation/model of the intelligent light bulb for which the controller 120
is being
configured is obtained at the auxiliary device 150. The manner in which the
firmware
update information at step 300 may be obtained in practical implementations
may vary
from one implementation to the other and any suitable approach may be used. In
the case
where the auxiliary device 150 includes functionality allowing it to connect
to a computer
network, the firmware update information may for example be downloaded into
the
memory 200 of the auxiliary device 150 by using the auxiliary device 150 to
access a
remote server on which the firmware update information is stored.
Alternatively, firmware
update information may be stored on a computer readable medium, such as a
flash drive,
hard drive, memory stick, DVD and then loaded onto the memory 200 of auxiliary
device
150 by establishing a suitable connection between the computer readable medium
and the
auxiliary device 150. The established connection may be performed either over
a wire line
link or wireless link using any suitable method.
Alternatively, or in addition to the above, obtaining firmware update
information may
include presenting a user of the auxiliary device 150 with a set of selectable
options,
wherein each option is associated with a specific available variation/model of
the
intelligent light bulb for which the controller 120 can be configured as well
as the
associated firmware update information. Such selectable options may be
presented to the
user in a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display device
associated with the
.. auxiliary device 150(of the type shown for example in Figure 3).
Functionality may be
31
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
provided on the auxiliary device 150 through the GUI for enabling the user to
select a
desired option using any suitable user operable input device, such as a
keyboard, touch
screen, voice input and the like. Once the firmware update information
associated with the
specific variation/model of the device (or system) for which the controller
120 is being
configured has been obtained, the process proceeds to step 302.
At step 302, a signal carrying the firmware update information obtained at
step 300 is
generated and transmitted from the auxiliary device 150 to the controller 120
over wireless
communication link 175. The transmittal by the auxiliary device 150 of the
signal carrying
the firmware update information may be triggered in any number of manners
including, but
not limited too, a command enter by a user through a user operable input
control at the
auxiliary device 150 (e.g. using a keyboard, touch sensitive screen, voice
input and the
like), by using a mechanism for detecting whether the auxiliary device 150 is
in proximity
to the controller 120 or by using any other suitable approach. In the non-
limiting example
depicted in Figure 3, the transmittal by the auxiliary device 150 of the
signal is triggered by
actuating control 252 labeled "UPLOAD". The signal carrying the firmware
update
information is for causing the passive memory component 190 of the controller
120 to be
activated by drawing energy from that signal and for causing a firmware update
process to
be performed by the controller 120 based on the update information carried by
the signal
while the passive memory component 190 remains activated using energy drawn
from the
signal. As described elsewhere in the present document, the firmware update
process may
modify and/or replace program instructions and/or data stored on the passive
memory
component 190 based on the firmware update information carried by the signal.
In a specific implementation in which the auxiliary device 150 is equipped
with an NFC (or
RFID) transceiver and the controller 120 is equipped with an NFC (or RFID)
memory, the
NFC (or RFID) transceiver of the auxiliary device 150 is configured for
transmitting to the
controller 120 a signal carrying the firmware update information over wireless
32
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
communication link 175. The signal carrying the firmware update information
causes the
NFC (or RFID) memory to be activated by drawing energy from the signal.
Optionally, a process for matching the auxiliary device 150 to the controller
120 may be
performed at step 301 prior to the transmittal of the signal carrying the
firmware update
information at step 302. A purpose for such a matching process may be, for
example, to
ensure that the firmware update information that will be transmitted from the
auxiliary
device 150 is being installed on the correct controller (or correct type of
controller).
According to this optional feature, the passive memory component 190 of the
controller
120 may store (amongst other) an identification code. In a non-limiting
implementation,
the identification code may convey the type of hardware platform associated
with the
controller 120. When the transceiver of the auxiliary device 150 comes into
proximity of
the passive memory component 190 of the controller, a "connection request
signal" issued
by the transceiver causes the passive memory component 190 to be activated by
drawings
energy from the "connection request signal" and to transmit the identification
code stored
on the passive memory component 190 to the auxiliary device 150. The
identification code
may be used by the auxiliary device 150 to recognize the controller 120 and
confirm that it
is acceptable to transmit the firmware update information to that controller.
Optionally, an
identification code identifying the auxiliary device 150 may also be
transmitted as part of
the "connection request signal". In such cases, the passive memory component
190 of the
controller may then store the identification code identifying the auxiliary
device 150. Once
the controller 120 has been confirmed by auxiliary device 150, a signal
carrying the
firmware update information may be transmitted in the manner described earlier
from the
auxiliary device 150 to the controller 120 over the wireless communication
link 175.
Optionally, (not shown in the figures) the auxiliary device 150 may be
configured for
transmitting to the controller 120 a signal carrying a device status request
over wireless
communication link 175 for causing the passive memory component 190 to perform
a
status report process. The status report process will be particularly
useful in
33
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
implementations in which an error log associated with the device operated by
the controller
120 is maintained on the passive memory component 190. During the status
report process,
a reply signal conveying at least part of the data in the error log stored on
the passive
memory device is received by the auxiliary device 150 over the wireless
communication
link established between the passive memory component 190 and the auxiliary
device 150.
Turning now Figure 5, a flow diagram is depicted showing steps of a process
for
configuring controller 120 using auxiliary device 150 from the perspective of
the controller
120.
At step 500, a programmable controller 120 of the type shown in Figure 2 is
provided. The
programmable controller 120 is characterized by a hardware platform that can
be
configured to be used in connection with different variations/models of the
intelligent light
bulb, where the variations/models may be perceptible for example in terms of
the features
provided by the intelligent light bulb. In the case of the programmable
controller 120
provided, configuring the programmable controller to the different
variations/models of the
intelligent light bulb includes the installation of different associated
software options. In
this regards, the hardware platform of the programmable controller provided at
step 500 is
equipped with firmware 124 having a passive memory component 190 and a
processing
unit 122 programmed for operating the system at least in part in accordance
with
instructions stored on the firmware 124. The passive memory component 190 of
the
firmware 124 can be activated using power drawn from a signal transmitted from
auxiliary
device 150 over wireless communication link 175. In a specific implementation
in which
the auxiliary device 150 is equipped with an NFC (or RFID) transceiver, the
passive
memory component 190 may include an NFC (or RFID) memory, the NFC (or RFID)
memory being configured for being activate by drawing energy from a signal
originating
from the auxiliary device 150.
Following step 500, the process proceeds to step 501.
34
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
At step 501, the programmable controller 120 may be an inactive state and may
remain in
that state until a signal originating from the auxiliary device 150 is
received. In this
inactive state, the programmable controller 120 need not be connected to an
external source
of electrical power. In specific practical implementations, the intelligent
light bulb 50 may
have been packaged for shipping, in a box and/or other shipping container.
When the
intelligent light bulb 50 is packaged prior to configuring the firmware 124,
the box or
container used for the shipping is configured to allow RF signals transmitted
by the
auxiliary device 150 positioned in proximity to the box or container to reach
the passive
memory component 190 of the firmware 124. For example, conventional cardboard
boxes
and plastic-based wrapping materials may be suitable for such packaging. Once
a signal
originating from the auxiliary device 150 is detected by the passive memory
component
190, the process proceeds to step 502.
At step 502, the passive memory component 190 of the firmware 124 becomes
activated by
drawing energy from the signal originating from the auxiliary device 150.
The process then proceeds to step 503.
At step 503, while it remains activated using energy drawn from the signal
originating from
the auxiliary device 150, the passive memory component 190 processes the
information
carried by the signal originating from the auxiliary device 150. The
information carried by
the signal may cause different processes to be performed depending on the type
of
information carried by the signal.
For the purpose of illustration, the description will consider the following
types of
information that may be carried by the signal received from the auxiliary
device: (a)
firmware update information; (b) a connection request; and (c) a device status
request.
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
In a first example in which the information carried by the signal includes
firmware update
information, the passive memory component 190 causes a firmware update process
to be
performed. The firmware update process includes modifying instructions and/or
data
stored in the passive memory component 190 based on the update information
carried by
the signal. At least part of the firmware update process is performed while
the passive
memory component remains activated using energy drawn from the signal
originating from
the auxiliary device 150.
In a second example in which the information carried by the signal includes a
connection
request, the passive memory component 190 may cause a component matching
process to
be performed. In a specific embodiment supporting the component matching
process, the
passive memory component 190 of the controller may store (amongst other) an
identification code. In a non-limiting implementation, the identification code
may convey
the type of hardware platform associated with the controller 120. The
component matching
process includes causing the passive memory component 190 to transmit the
identification
code to the auxiliary device 150. The identification code may be used by the
auxiliary
device 150 to recognize the controller 120 and determine whether specific
firmware update
information is suitable for that controller. Optionally, a code may also be
transmitted as
part of the "connection request signal" from the auxiliary device 150. In such
cases, the
passive memory component 190 may store the code received from the auxiliary
device 150
as part of the component matching process. The code transmitted from the
auxiliary device
150 may include a component identifying the auxiliary device 150 and,
optionally may
include a key based on which the passive memory component 190 may determine
whether
to accept further information, including firmware update information, from the
auxiliary
device 150. In a non-limiting implementation, the successful completion of a
component
matching process between the controller 120 and a specific auxiliary device
150 may be
required prior to the controller 120 accepting firmware update information
from that
auxiliary device 150. In such non limiting implementations, only once the
component
matching process has been completed can the controller 120 and the auxiliary
device 150
36
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
communicate with one another. The component matching process of the type
described
above may be performed while the passive memory component 190 remains
activated
using energy drawn from the signal originating from the auxiliary device 150.
It is to be
appreciated that the component matching process may be omitted from certain
implementations and is considered to be an optional process in the context of
the present
invention.
In a third example in which the information carried by the signal includes a
device status
request, the passive memory component 190 causes a status report process to be
performed.
The status report process will be particularly useful in implementations in
which an error
log associated with the device operated by the controller is maintained on the
passive
memory component 190. During the status report process, a reply signal is sent
by the
passive memory component 190 in response to the device status request signal.
The reply
signal conveys at least part of the data in the error log stored on the
passive memory device
is transmitted to the auxiliary device 150 over the wireless communication
link established
between the passive memory component 190 and the auxiliary device 150. The
transmittal
of the reply signal to the auxiliary device 150 is performed while the passive
memory 190
component remains activated using energy drawn from the signal carrying the
device status
request.
It is to be understood that the signals originating from the auxiliary device
150 may carry
information elements of the type suggested above alone or in combination (for
example a
combination of a connection request signal + firmware update information). It
is also to be
appreciated that practical implementations need not support all the above
described types
of information. For example certain non-limiting implementations may support
signals
carrying firmware update information and may not support signals carrying a
device status
request and/or a connection request, for example. In addition, it is also to
be understood
that the signal originating from the auxiliary device 150 may carry other
types of
37
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
information and that the specific examples presented here are been provided
for the
purpose of illustration only.
Practical examples
Using the concepts described above, a light bulb manufacturer can manufacture
an
intelligent light bulb, of the type described with reference to the
intelligent light bulb 50,
having a hardware platform that can be used to control different
variations/models of an
intelligent light bulb. Depending on the desired features of the intelligent
light bulb, the
firmware 124 can be configured for a specific variation/model of the
intelligent light bulb
using a suitable auxiliary device 150 without having to activate the
controller 120 using an
external source of electrical power by using processes and tools of the type
described in the
present document.
The intelligent light bulbs of the type described in this document present
advantages over
some conventional intelligent light bulbs by allowing the firmware of the
intelligent light
bulb controllers to be configured and/or updated without having to connect the
intelligent
light bulb to an external source of electrical power. This may allow for
example, a
manufacturer to build the intelligent light bulb and pre-package them before
finalizing the
configuration of the firmware in order to have an inventory of ready to ship
intelligent light
bulbs that only require the firmware
to be updated/configured. As a result, the delay
between the receipt of an order and the time to shipment may be significantly
reduced since
the intelligent light bulb controllers need not be activated for such
update/configuration to
be performed and since the controllers are already in ready-to-ship packages.
Figures 6A and 6B show examples in which intelligent light bulbs of the type
described in
the present document have been built by a manufacturer and packaged for
shipment. While
this cannot be seen in Figures 6A and 6B, it is to be understood that shipping
boxes 600
hold intelligent light bulbs of the type described in the present document.
Once the
38
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
manufacturer knows what variations/models of intelligent light bulbs are
desired, the
manufacturer makes use of an auxiliary device 150 in order to program the
firmware of the
intelligent light bulb controllers. More specifically, the auxiliary device
150 is brought into
proximity with each one of the shipping boxes 600 that holds an intelligent
light bulb that
is to be configured so that the passive memory components 124 of the firmware
is activated
by a signal transmitted from the auxiliary device 150 in order to perform a
firmware update
process in accordance with the process described earlier on in the present
document.
Optionally, the shipping boxes 600 provide respective indicators 602 to
identify the area of
the shipping boxes 600 that is most suitable to be brought into proximity with
the auxiliary
device 150 in order to facilitate the communication between the passive memory
component 190 of the intelligent light bulb in the box and the auxiliary
device 150.
Figure 6A shows a first example in which individual shipping boxes 600 holding
intelligent
light bulbs are placed on a conveyor belt 604 which causes each shipping box
to pass by an
auxiliary device 150 that is in the form of a dedicated programming station.
As a shipping
box 600 is carried by the conveyor belt in proximity to the auxiliary device
150, a signal
carrying firmware update information is transmitted from the auxiliary device
150 to the
specific intelligent light bulb in the shipping box 600 thereby causing a
firmware update
process to be performed to modify the instructions of the firmware of that
specific
intelligent light bulb. The firmware update process is performed based on the
update
information carried by the signal in accordance with the processes described
earlier in the
present document.
Figure 6B shows a second example in which shipping boxes 600 holding
intelligent light
.. bulbs are stacked on a shipping pallet 608 and in which an auxiliary device
in the form of a
portable auxiliary device 150, such as a smartphone for example, is used for
configuring
the firmware of the intelligent light bulbs held in the boxes. In this
example, the auxiliary
device 150 is brought into proximity with each of the individual shipping
boxes 600 by a
human operator 800 or by a mechanical device such as a robotic arm for example
(not
39
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-26
89003-160D1
shown in the figures). As the auxiliary device 150 is brought into proximity
with a shipping
box 600, a signal carrying firmware update information is transmitted from the
auxiliary
device 150 to the specific intelligent light bulb in the shipping box 600
thereby causing a
firmware update process to be performed to modify the instructions of the
firmware of that
specific intelligent light bulb. The firmware update process is performed
based on the
update information carried by the signal in a manner of the type described
earlier in the
present document. Alternatively, the intelligent light bulbs and/or the
auxiliary device may
be equipped with components having emission and reception capabilities with a
broader
range so that data can be received/transmitted without the auxiliary device
needing to be
io displaced for each individual shipping box.
Figure 6A and 6B are only specific practical examples showing two manners in
which a
manufacturer may use the concepts presented in the present document in order
to facilitate
the configuration of intelligent light bulbs to adapt to different
variations/models. It is to
be appreciated that many other manners will become apparent to the person
skilled in the
art in light of the present description.
Alternatively, rather than (or in addition to) being performed by the light
bulb
manufacturer, the configuring of the firmware 124 may be performed by a
distributor of the
intelligent light bulbs. In such a case, the manufacturer of such light bulbs
may supply the
distributor with a number of intelligent light bulbs for which the firmware
has not yet been
configured (or alternatively the firmware has been configured in a default
manner). In
order to enable the distributor to customize a specific intelligent light
bulbs for a specific
variation/model, the manufacturer may make available computer code executable
by an
auxiliary device of the type described with reference to auxiliary device 150
either by
making this code accessible over a computer network or by providing a non-
transitory
computer readable memory storing such computer code to the distributor.
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
89003-160D1
The configuration of light bulbs of the type presented in the present document
can also
alternatively be updated/configured by an end user of the intelligent light
bulbs in a
convenient and straight forward manner using a suitably programmed auxiliary
device 150.
This may, for example, allow a user to adjust the color of the light emitted
by the light bulb
after the bulb was purchased and installed. In a non-limiting example, a user
may be
hesitating between buying an LED bulb having "warm white" light and another
one having
a "soft white" light. With the type of intelligent light bulb presented in the
present
document, a user may purchase a light bubble capable of generating a "warm
white" light
and a "soft white" light and the user may be able to an auxiliary device of
the type
.. described in the presentation document to adjust the color of the light
emitted by the light
bulb at home, when the bulb is in use in its desired environment.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with
reference to
certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and refinements are
possible. Therefore,
the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims and
their
equivalents.
41
CA 3021700 2018-10-19
