Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LED LIGHTING INCORPORATING DMX COMMUNICATION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This Application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Serial No.
16/728,637, filed
December 27, 2019, which is a Continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial
No. 16/415,014,
filed May 17, 2019, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Patent Application
Serial No.
15/301,617 filed October 3, 2016, which is the U.S. National Phase filing of
International
Application No. PCT/US15/24323 filed April 3, 2015, which, in turn, claims
priority under 35
U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/974,507 filed April 3,
2014, 62/013,258
filed June 17, 2014, and 62/093,470 filed December 18, 2014. The disclosures
of all six
Applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
STATEMENT OF THE TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to light emitting diode (LED) lamps.
More specifically,
the present disclosure relates to LED lamps, lighting tubes and fixtures that
incorporate digital
communications.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventional lighting technology for large buildings such as office
buildings, schools,
recreational centers, retail establishments, theme parks and other similar
structures are typically
fluorescent fixtures including fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps are more
durable,
economical and efficient when compared to incandescent lamps, and thus became
standard for
many lighting applications.
[0004] Typical fluorescent lighting fixtures include one or more ballasts for
converting input
or source power into power usable by the fluorescent lamps. A typical
fluorescent lamp may
have a standard socket size, tube diameter and length (e.g., a T8 lamp having
a one inch tube
diameter and a four foot length many others are available).
[0005] In light of recent energy conservation efforts and improved designs,
one common
occurrence is replacing existing fluorescent lamps with similarly shaped and
rated LED lamps.
By using existing technology, LED lamps can be made to closely match the
functionality and
appearance of fluorescent lamps.
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[0006] Additionally, many existing lighting installations utilize lighting
communications and
protocols for providing an interactive lighting experience. For example,
entertainment facilities,
recreational facilities such as bowling centers, theme parks, stage
productions, television
productions, and theater productions utilize lighting communications to
provide inter-active
sound and visual effects.
[0007] It would be advantageous to provide an LED lamp that functionally and
visually
replaces existing fluorescent lighting while also providing for an interactive
DMX controlled
lighting experience.
[0008] Moreover, for some lighting applications, particular types of lamps and
lighting fixtures
may be required to utilize different lighting colors, effects, or patterns. As
such, more complex
lighting applications may involve using numerous lamps and fixtures. For
example, in a bowling
alley, fluorescent lamps may be used to emit white light during league bowling
during the day,
and ultraviolet lamps and/or colored fluorescent lamps may be used to emit
ultraviolet and
colored light, respectively, during nighttime bowling. LED lamps may be used
to reduce the
number of lamps and lighting fixtures in these lighting applications. For
example, one LED lamp
may include true white LEDs configured to emit light that closely matches the
appearance and
color temperature of white fluorescent lamps. The LED lamp may include
ultraviolet LEDs
configured to emit light having a wave length measured in nanometers similar
to light emitted
from a fluorescent ultraviolet lamp. Additionally, the LED lamp may include
Red, Green, and
Blue (RGB) LEDs configured to produce 16.7 million colors. That is, the LED
lamp can perform
the functions of multiple fluorescent lamps. However, the components, such as
a data control
board or a power control board, that operate the various LEDs are typically
loosely positioned
within the conventional LED lamps and are difficult to service. Therefore, the
components of the
LED lamps may be prone to breaking if dropped and difficult to replace or
repair if broken.
SUMMARY
[0009] In one or more scenarios, the disclosed technology relates to a light
emitting diode
(LED) lighting fixture. In one or more cases the LED lighting fixture includes
a lamp. In one or
more cases, the lamp includes a tube with at least one LED lamp positioned
therein and
operatively connected with external electrical contacts. In one or more cases,
the lamp may have
at least one communication protocol address associated therewith. In one or
more cases the LED
lighting fixture includes a communication protocol converter associated with
the lamp. In one or
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more cases, the communication protocol converter may be configured to receive
an instruction
from a communication protocol controller, determine if the instruction is
intended for the
associated at least one communication protocol address, and if so, control the
at least one LED
lamp based on the instruction.
[0010] In one or more scenarios, the disclosed technology relates to a light
emitting diode
(LED) lamp. In one or more cases, the LED lamp includes an elongated chassis
including a
platform; at least one LED positioned on the platform; and a first end cap and
a second end cap
disposed on opposite ends of the LED lamp. In one or more cases, the first end
cap includes a
first support platform coupled to an inner surface of the first end cap. In
one or more cases, the
second end cap includes a second support platform coupled to an inner surface
of the second end
cap. In one or more cases, the first support platform is configured to fixedly
hold a power board
within the LED lamp. In one or more cases, the second support platform is
configured to fixedly
hold a data control board within the LED lamp.
[0011] In one or more scenarios, the disclosed technology relates to a LED
light fixture. In one
or more cases, the LED light fixture includes a LED lamp. In one or more
cases, the LED lamp
includes an elongated chassis including a platform; at least one LED
positioned on the platform;
and a first end cap and a second end cap disposed on opposite ends of the LED
lamp. In one or
more cases, the first end cap includes a first support platform coupled to an
inner surface of the
first end cap. In one or more cases, the second end cap includes a second
support platform
coupled to an inner surface of the second end cap. In one or more cases, the
first support
platform is configured to fixedly hold a power board within the LED lamp. In
one or more cases,
the second support platform is configured to fixedly hold a data control board
within the LED
lamp. In one or more cases, the LED light fixture includes a lamp holder. In
one or more cases,
the lamp holder includes a high voltage socket and a low voltage socket, in
which the high
voltage socket is configured to receive the first end cap and the low voltage
socket is configured
to receive the second end cap, thereby electrically coupling the LED lamp and
the lamp holder.
[0012] A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description
that follows. The
aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It
is to be understood
that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts
upon which the
embodiments disclosed herein are based.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawing
figures, in
which like numerals represent like items through the figures, and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a first system diagram for a lighting fixture including
an LED tube and
DMX communication according to an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a second system diagram for a lighting fixture including
an LED tube
and DMX communication according to an embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts an alternative fixture as that shown in FIG. 2 including
multiple LED
lamps according to an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts a third system diagram for a lighting fixture including
an LED tube and
DMX communication according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts a sample lamp according to an embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 6 depicts a sample lamp according to another exemplary embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6.
[0021] FIG. 8A illustrates an isometric view of an LED lamp.
[0022] FIG. 8B illustrates an exploded view of the LED lamp of FIG. 8A.
[0023] FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-sectional side view, taken along section A-
A, of the LED
lamp of FIG. 8A.
[0024] FIG. 8D illustrates a wiring diagram of the LED lamp of FIG. 8A.
[0025] FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of a lighting control board
support and an end cap.
[0026] FIG. 10A illustrates an isometric view of the end cap of FIG. 9.
[0027] FIG. 10B illustrates a top view of the end cap of FIG. 9.
[0028] FIG. 10C illustrates a side view of the end cap of FIG. 9.
[0029] FIG. 10D illustrates a bottom view of the end cap of FIG. 9.
[0030] FIG. 11A illustrates an isometric view of a lamp holder.
[0031] FIG. 11B illustrates a low voltage socket of the lamp holder of FIG.
11A.
[0032] FIG. 11C illustrates a high voltage socket of the lamp holder of FIG.
11A.
[0033] FIG. 12A illustrates an example wiring diagram of one or more light
fixtures.
[0034] FIG. 12B illustrates an example low voltage control wiring diagram for
one or more
connected low voltage sockets.
[0035] FIG. 12C illustrates an example high voltage wiring diagram for one or
more connected
high voltage sockets.
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[0036] FIG. 13 illustrates DMX wireless receiver with a wired output to
connect and control
additional LED lamps.
[0037] FIG. 14 illustrates LED lamps with DMX wireless receivers within the
lamps.
[0038] FIG. 15 illustrates a wireless receiver controlling a DMX universe of
LED lamps.
[0039] FIG. 16 illustrates multiple wireless DMX control universes working in
unison.
[0040] FIG. 17 illustrates a network of wireless DMX units acting as
transceivers, receiving
and transmitting control signals to each LED lamp or fixture.
[0041] FIG. 18 illustrates a Bluetooth mesh network where a Bluetooth unit
acts as a
transceiver to control LED lamps and other devices.
[0042] FIG. 19 illustrates a Bluetooth mesh network where Ethernet
transceivers that output
Bluetooth control signals are included to extend the wireless Bluetooth signal
range.
[0043] FIG. 20 illustrates a Bluetooth network for an LED lamp having a
control board to
convert Bluetooth signals into DMX control signals, among others.
[0044] FIG. 21 illustrates a Bluetooth network for a light fixture having a
control board to
convert Bluetooth signals into DMX control signals, among others.
[0045] FIG. 22 illustrates a Bluetooth mesh network with DMX conversion
capability in each
lamp.
[0046] FIG. 23 illustrates a horticultural growth LED lamp having wired DMX
communication
capability.
[0047] FIG. 24 illustrates a horticultural growth LED lamp featuring alternate
LED colors.
[0048] FIG. 25 illustrates a horticultural growth LED lamp having wireless DMX
capability to
control each lamp within a system of horticultural growth LED lamps.
[0049] FIG. 26 illustrates a horticultural growth LED lamp having both
wireless and wired
DMX communication capability.
[0050] FIG. 27 illustrates a horticultural growth LED lamp having wireless
Bluetooth
capability and five 12-24VDC dimming channels for constant voltage LED loads.
[0051] FIG. 28 illustrates a horticultural growth LED lamp having wireless
Bluetooth to DMX
communication capability.
[0052] FIG. 29 illustrates a germicidal LED lamp having wired DMX
communication
capability.
[0053] FIG. 30 illustrates a lighting control system for operating and
scheduling lighting of a
germicidal LED lamp using wired or wireless DMX communication.
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[0054] FIG. 31 illustrates a lighting control system for operating and
scheduling lighting of a
germicidal LED lamp using Bluetooth communication.
[0055] FIG. 32 illustrates a lighting control system for operating and
scheduling human-centric
lighting.
[0056] FIG. 33 illustrates an integrated power supply unit supporting wired
DMX
communication without Remote Device Management.
[0057] FIG. 34 illustrates an integrated power supply unit supporting wired
and wireless DMX
communication with or without Remote Device Management.
[0058] FIG. 35 illustrates an integrated power supply unit supporting wireless
DMX
communication with or without Remote Device Management and no DMX wired input
or output
control cables.
[0059] FIG. 36 illustrates an integrated power supply unit supporting wireless
Bluetooth mesh
control with five channels of 12-24VDC dimming channels for constant voltage
LED loads.
[0060] FIG. 37 illustrates an integrated power supply unit supporting
Bluetooth mesh to wired
DMX connections.
[0061] FIG. 38 illustrates a wired DMX connection of LED lamp connected via
input and
output cables connected to side low voltage end caps.
[0062] FIG. 39 illustrates an alternate wired DMX connection of LED lamp
having a female
connector installed in one end cap.
[0063] FIG. 40 illustrates an alternate wired DMX connection of LED lamp
having screw
terminals installed to facilitate connection of signal cables to LED lamp
units.
[0064] FIG. 41 illustrates an integrated occupancy/daylight sensor.
[0065] FIG. 42 illustrates an alternate, circular LED lamp shape.
[0066] FIG. 43 illustrates an alternate, U-shaped LED lamp shape.
[0067] FIG. 44 illustrates an alternate, square LED lamp shape.
[0068] FIG. 45 illustrates an alternate, rectangle LED lamp shape.
[0069] FIG. 46 illustrates an alternate, triangle LED lamp shape.
[0070] FIG. 47 illustrates an LED lamp having ingress protection measures
installed.
[0071] FIG. 48 illustrates an LED lamp having a color coded power lamp holder
and power
end cap.
[0072] FIG. 49 illustrates an LED lamp having a color coded band for
identifying models.
[0073] FIG. 50 illustrates LED lamps having various beam-shaping lenses
installed.
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[0074] FIG. 51 illustrates LED lamps having various single or multiple pixel
configurations.
[0075] FIG. 52 illustrates a Bluetooth lighting controller system having LED
lamps with
repeating DMX channels to facilitate operation of multiple LED lamps.
[0076] FIG. 53 illustrates infrared LED lamps having motion sensors and
lighting controls
networked to a security recording system.
[0077] FIG. 54 illustrates an LED lamp having a Wood's Glass Filter installed
for blocking
most light that is not ultraviolet or infrared.
[0078] FIG. 55 illustrates a power cord adapter for connecting LED lamps to an
electrical
supply.
[0079] FIG. 56 illustrates a mounting unit for LED light fixtures.
[0080] FIG. 57 illustrates a slide piece to facilitate a mounting unit
receiving a power cable.
[0081] FIG. 58 illustrates a female receiving cap configured to fit over an
LED lamp end cap.
[0082] FIG. 59 illustrates an LED lamp and power end cap mounted vertically.
[0083] FIG. 60 illustrates a rechargeable battery unit for an LED lamp.
[0084] FIG. 61 illustrates an external power supply configuration for an LED
lamp.
[0085] FIG. 62 illustrates an end cap having power and data connections on the
same multi-pin
connector.
[0086] FIG. 63 illustrates an end cap having five pins positioned linearly.
[0087] FIG. 64 illustrates a lamp holder having five female receiving
connections to connect
the power and data of an LED lamp.
[0088] FIG. 65 illustrates an integrated battery back-up configuration for an
LED lamp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0089] This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and
methods described,
as these can vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose
of describing the
particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the
scope.
[0090] As used in this document, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
include plural
references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined
otherwise, all technical
and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood
by one of
ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term "comprising"
means "including, but
not limited to."
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[0091] The present disclosure relates to a modification of existing lighting
fixtures, or
implementation of new lighting fixtures, that utilize LED lamps as well as
digital
communications to provide lighting effects for interactive lighting
experiences such as those
commonly used at recreational facilities such as, for example, themed
environments and bowling
centers. Lighting systems may being development as drawings with a fixture
layout as well as
electrical and control cable layouts. LED lamp DMX address and DMX universe
tables may also
be created. LED lamps may be pre-addressed according to the tabels. Labels may
be applied to
the lamps, light fixtures and light fixture boxes. Shipping pallets are
arranged in sequential order
to how the lighting system will be installed on-site, so as to configure the
equipment off-site and
ease the on-site system installation time. As used in this document, digital
multiplex (DMX)
refers to the DMX512 standard protocol for digital communication networks. A
DMX universe
refers to a DMX network including, for example, up to 512 links or individual
controllable
devices. Depending upon the design, a DMX controller may be configured to
provide operation
control to one or more universes. Although described in this document in
reference to DMX, one
of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other communications
protocols, including but not
limited to attached resource computer network (ARCnet), Ethernet (IEEE 802
protocols),
infrared (IR), serial communications, and the like, may be used without
departing from the spirit
of this disclosure.
[0092] A typical DMX network may include, for example, one or more DMX
controllers
configured to produce one or more instructions (each of which has at least one
associated
address) and various effect devices such as, for example, lighting fixtures,
fog machines,
intelligent lights, audio output devices, and other similar effects devices.
Each device within the
network may include an associated address and be operably connected to the DMX
controller for
receiving the instructions from the DMX controller. The individual device may
include a DMX
converter that determines if the instruction is for that specific device as
well as what particular
effect to perform.
[0093] FIG. 1 depicts a diagram illustrating a lighting fixture system 100
according to an
embodiment. The lighting fixture system 100 may include, for example, a power
supply 102, a
lamp 104, a DMX converter 106 and a DMX controller 108. Depending upon the
arrangement of
the components, the power supply 102, lamp 104 and DMX converter 106 may be
integrated into
a single lighting fixture, and DMX controller 108 may be a processing device
such as a server
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located at a remote location and configured to provide a DMX control signal to
one or more
fixtures.
[0094] Similarly, the DMX controller 108 may be configured to output
additional control for
other DMX universes according to standard DMX protocol and operations.
Additionally,
depending upon the installation of the lighting fixture, lamp 104 may be, for
example, a red,
blue, and green (RGB) LED lamp or a red, blue, green, and white (RGBW) LED
lamp. However,
it should be noted that RGB and RGBW lamps are shown by way of example only,
and the
lamps as described herein may include additional types of LED lamps configured
to emit light at
various wave lengths. For example, the lamps may include red (R), green (G),
blue (B), white
(W), ultra-violet (UV), amber (A), and infrared (IR). The possible
combinations are lamps
containing individual colors or wavelengths such as R, G, B, W, UV, IR, A, and
the like, and
combinations thereof, including, but not limited to, RGB, RGB-W, RGB-UV, RGB-
IR, RGB-A,
RGB-W-UV, RGB-W-IR, RGB-W-A, RGB-UV-IR, UV-IR, W-UV, W-IR, W-A, W-UV-IR,
RGB-UV-IR-W, RGB-A-IR-W, or any other combination. In some embodiments an LED
diode
lamp will contain a combination of the above, such as red, green, blue, white,
and lime/mint
green (RGBWG). This combination, taking into consideration that 490-515nm fits
the
wavelength best visible to the human, creates great color mixings with very
subtle color hues. It
also helps increase the color rendering index (CRI) of the output of the LED
diode lamp.
[0095] The infrared LEDs 211 in FIG. 53 are used to illuminate areas with
infrared light. The
infrared light is used by most camera systems. Infrared light, which spans
from 700 nanometers
(nm) up to about 1000 nm, is beyond what the human eye can see, but most
camera sensors can
detect it and make use of it. This is particularly helpful with bowling
scoring systems, tracking
camera systems and security systems where there is minimal lighting available.
For example, for
security systems, infrared light could be used along with white light, a
lighting control unit 214,
and a motion/occupancy sensor 215. The lighting system could provide camera
systems 212 with
high levels of lighting at all times of day, while the motion/occupancy sensor
215 could be
operated by an electronic schedule within the lighting control 214. Depending
on the hours, the
scheduler could choose between one or both of white 213 and infrared 211 LED
diodes, with the
lighting triggered by the motion/occupancy sensor 215. In another example,
infrared light could
be used with effects lighting and camera tracking systems to provide visible
effects lighting for
the human eye and invisible light for the security cameras 212 to be able to
track an object.
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[0096] The DMX controller 108 may also be configured to control the DMX mode
which
allows each light to set the number of pixels/segments of LEDs to be
controlled independently at
one time. The pixels/segments, or quantity of LEDs, is associated with the
number of DMX
channels used. The higher number of DMX channels used per tube, the smaller
the segment of
LEDs controlled at one time. Conversely, the smaller number of DMX channels
used the greater
number of LEDs controlled or larger the segment size operated at one time.
Selectable DMX
modes are set when the light tube is addressed. Fixed light tube DMX modes are
set when the
tube is manufactured. For example: A T8 48" length light tube may have 72 tri-
color RGB LEDs
in it. Each tri-color LED would use three DMX channels so the entire light
tube would use 216
DMX channels. If the fixture is used in the 24 channels mode, the LED segment
size would be
three DMX channels, that is, three tri-color LEDs may be controlled by each
DMX address. In
three channel mode, all of the seventy-two tri-color LEDs would operate
together, that is, the
tube may operate with three colors (Red, Green, Blue). Color mixing of these
three colors
produces 16.7 million colors. The number of colors available through color
mixing depends on
the number and combinations of LEDs used. Many versions of the tubes are
contemplated so
several different DMX modes are available.
[0097] FIG. 52 illustrates how DMX channels in lighting control 10 may be
repeated in order
to operate LED lamps 182 or light fixtures together. The software of the
lighting controller 10
may control the channel repetition, where lighting control may be Bluetooth,
Bluetooth to DMX
183, DMX, Wifi, or others. A standalone red, green, blue and white (RGBW) LED
lamp with
one or more pixels would have a minimum of four control channels (RGBW). By
repeating these
control channels over an entire 512 channel DMX universe, many LED lamps 182
may be
controlled and operated at the same time. An exemplary channel table is
reproduced here:
DMX Channel Pixel 1 Output
1 Red 255
2 Green 100
3 Blue 180
4 White 0
Repeats To Pixel 2
Red 255
6 Green 100
7 Blue 180
8 White 0
Repeats to Pixel 3
9 Red 255
Green 100
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11 Blue 180
12 White 0
Repeats to Pixel 4
13 Red 255
14 Green 100
15 Blue 180
16 White 0
This continues upto to 512 DMX
channels per DMX universe.
[0098] Once networked, LED lamps may be controlled uniformly in a number of
ways. In one
embodiment LED lamps include integrated dimming and intensity tuning for all
colors and LED
nodes The LED lamp can be dimmed by DMX, Bluetooth, or power supply voltage
dimming.
The number of dimming channels for each type of lamp is dependent on the
number of pixels,
led nodes, and led colors used in each lamp. Dimming may operated by an
external control unit.
For DMX, there are 255 dimming channels per pixel, per colors of the LED lamp.
For example,
a RGBW (red, green, blue, white) lamp with one pixel includes four dimming
channels with red
(255), green (255), blue (255), and white (255).
[0099] In another embodiment, default lighting control programs may be
utilized. Default
lighting control programs are programs that run when no external control
signals are present.
These programs can be a simple color or multiple colors or programs. As an
example, when a
lamp is powered on, the default color may be white light. As a default
program, this will allow
end users to see that the lamp has power and is working when it receives high
voltage power.
Default programs may be set during manufacturing, but could also be end user
set or set by
remote device management (RDM).
[00100] FIG. 41 shows another embodiment in which lighting control may be
executed by
integrated sensors. These sensors may include occupancy sensors, daylight
sensors, and more.
For occupancy sensors, a small occupancy sensor 50 may be added to the center
of a lamp 25 to
operate one 25 or more lamps. The occupancy sensor 50 may track movement in a
room or area.
When there is movement, the occupancy sensor 50 is activated and triggers the
one or more
lamps 25 to power on. After a specific amount of time without movement in the
room or area,
the occupancy sensor 50 will trigger the one or more lamps 25 to power off.
This feature may be
used to increase the energy efficiency of the one or more lamps 25. The
occupancy sensor 50 can
be part of the Bluetooth mesh ecosystem to allow configuration and additional
control options
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from a smart device, tablet, PC 10, or wall switch 11. The output control
signal may be a
combination of formats, such as Bluetooth to other mesh control devices and/or
DMX wired or
wireless or Wi-Fi 51 to other lamps or to additional control devices.
[00101] FIG. 41 illustrates daylight sensors. A small daylight sensor 52 may
be added to the
center of a lamp 25 to operate one or more lamps. The daylight sensor 52 may
monitor the
available ambient light. If the amount of available light is below a certain
level, the sensor may
switch on or off the one or more lamps 25. This feature may be used to
increase the energy
efficiency of the one or more lamps 25. Having the daylight sensor 52 built
into the lamp 25
simplifies the installation process. The daylight sensor 52 can be part of the
Bluetooth mesh
ecosystem to allow configuration and additional control options from a smart
device, tablet, PC
or wall switch 11. The output control signal could be a combination of
formats. These
include Bluetooth to other mesh control devices and/or DMX wired or wireless
or Wi-Fl 51 to
other lamps or to additional control devices.
[00102] As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply 102 may be operably connected to
a power input
and configured to produce a suitable output voltage for operation of both the
lamp 104 as well as
the DMX converter 106. Additionally, depending upon the arrangement of the
components, the
power supply 102 and DMX converter 106 may both be integrated into a single
ballast/unit. Such
an arrangement of the components may provide for an easier retrofit when
converting an existing
light fixture into an LED fixture having DMX controlled effects such as those
fixtures described
herein. Alternatively, the DMX controller may be integrated into another
component such as the
lamp itself. Such an arrangement is shown in FIGS. 2-4 as described below.
[00103] In operations, the DMX controller 108 may send one or more
instructions as a DMX
control signal to a network of connected devices, including the DMX converter
106 as shown in
FIG. 1. The DMX converter 106 can have an associated address and, based upon
that address,
can determine which instructions of the DMX control signal are intended for a
lighting fixture
associated with that specific DMX converter. The address of DMX converter 106,
for example,
may be assigned or provided according to standard DMX protocol operations, or
according to
any additional network addressing techniques or protocols. Addressing may be
performed during
network installation, or at a later time to reflect changes or updates to the
network. It is also
possible to address the tubes by DMX auto addressing. As each tube is
connected to a DMX
control, the tube automatically sets its DMX address to the first available or
to the next address
available. The next tube that is connected will then address itself to the
next available DMX
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address. Each additional tube will use the next available address until the
universe of 512 DMX
channels is filled.
[00104] In one embodiment, the DMX controller may communicate wirelessly. A
wireless
DMX control receiver may be added to an LED lamp or light fixture, together
with a wireless
DMX transmitter added to the control position in order to provide wireless
control of one or
more LED lamps in a fixture. Settings controllable wirelessly include but are
not limited to
control over color, dimming, patterns, and overall control of the one or more
lamps. It is also
possible to use one LED lamp with a DMX wireless receiver with additional
wired output to
connect and control additional LED lamps, as in FIG. 13. The additional LED
lamps would not
include a wireless receiver, but instead wired DMX input and output
connections. This hybrid
method of connecting the lamps would speed up installation time and reduce the
overall cost of
the LED system. Conversely, if all lamps include a wireless receiver within
the lamps themselves
would not need input and output cables for connection of control signals, as
in FIG. 14, greatly
reducing set-up and installation time. If the wireless receiver was added to
the light fixture with
one or more wired LED lamps, one wireless receiver would control a DMX
universe of LED
lamps and thus many light fixtures at one time, as seen in FIG. 15. Multiple
wireless DMX
control universes would be used at one time, as seen in FIG. 16, eliminating
the need for control
cables from the wireless transmitter to the first light fixture. The wireless
DMX units may be
transceivers, receiving and transmitting control signals to each LED lamp or
fixture, similar to
the Bluetooth system described below (FIG. 17).
[00105] In another embodiment, a Bluetooth mesh receiver may be
added to each of the
LED lamps or light fixtures, adding "internet of things" functionality. The
Bluetooth receiver
may receive control signals from a Bluetooth-enabled transmitting device,
which hacts as the
lighting controller. The transmitters can be one of a variety of computing
devices, including but
not limited to a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, wall switches, or
other Bluetooth-
enabled devices. An application may run on the transmitting device and be end-
user operated.
The Bluetooth units act as transceivers both receiving and transmitting the
control signals to
other enabled control devices and LED lamps with five channels with 12-24VDC
dimmers for
constant voltage LED loads, as seen in FIG. 18, creating a mesh network and
providing all LED
lamps control signals. In a configuration where all LED lamps include
Bluetooth receivers, wired
control cables attached to the LED lamps or from the controller to and between
the LED lamps.
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Ethernet transceivers that output Bluetooth control signals to extend to
wireless Bluetooth signal
ranges, as in FIG. 19, may also be used.
[00106] In yet another embodiment, Bluetooth control signals may
be converted into
DMX control signals (or other signal types) by adding a control board, as seen
in FIG. 20, to the
LED lamp or light fixture of FIG. 21. The conversion would allow DMX
controlled LED lamps
to be operated by a Bluetooth-enabled controller. The Bluetooth to DMX
converter control board
may be inserted into the LED lamp extrusion of a DMX controlled LED lamp. This
control
board would receive control signals from a Bluetooth-enabled controller and
convert the signals
to DMX to be processed by the built-in controller of the DMX controlled LED
lamp, as seen in
FIG. 22. A DMX controlled LED clamp would include a wired DMX output cable, so
additional
DMX LED lamps may be controlled by the one Bluetooth control board, as in FIG.
20.
[00107] In one other embodiment, the LED lamp would use a wired
DMX connection.
The DMX wired connections may be from the input and output cables connected
through the
side of a low voltage end cap, as in FIG. 38, within a light fixture. The
wired DMX cable on each
lamp 25 may deliver control signals 24 to and from the lamps 25. The lamps 25
may be
connected to the light control 10 and other LED lamps 25 using DMX input and
output cables.
The wired cable lengths may be long enough to be able to reach the next lamp
(25) within a light
fixture 26 and be able to reach the next lamp 25 or light fixture 26 when
installed in a length-
wise contiguous fashion, as in FIG. 38. The cable connectors may include male
27 and female 28
ends, with three, five, or more pins.
[00108] FIG. 39 shows another example of a wired cable
configuration may include wired
cables to the end cap, wherein a female connector 30 is installed into one of
the end caps, such
that wire tails 31 of various lengths can be connected with a male mating
connector 32. The
cables 31 may include signal input and output cables with male 32 and female
30 connectors on
the opposite ends of the cables. These connectors may be used to daisy chain
additional lamps 25
together. In another example, FIG. 40, the male and female cable connectors 40
could include
screw terminals for connecting signal cables 41 to the LED lamps 25.
[00109] Remote Device Management (RDM) may be utilized in some embodiments to
coordinate management of remote devices. RDM is a protocol enhancement to
USITT DMX512
that allows bi-directional communication between a lighting system controller
and the attached
RDM compliant devices over a standard DMX line. This protocol allows
configuration, status
monitoring, and management of networked devices. The USITT standard (ANSI/ESTA
1.20,
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Entertainment Technology - Remote Device Management over USITT DMX512) was
developed
by the ESTA Technical Standards Program and is designed for interoperability
between many
manufacturers. Since the RDM protocol travels on top of the DMX512 protocol,
it has uses in
architectural, entertainment, horticultural and germicidal lighting. This
protocol changes the way
LED lamps can be set-up and maintained.
[00110] RDM can provide identification and classification of connected LED
lamps, addressing
of LED lamps controllable by DMX512, status reporting of LED lamps or other
connected
devices by reporting on additional features (temperature, communication, and
operating
information) that may be added to the RDM/DMX control board. It can also
provide information
on the configuration of LED lamps and other DMX devices, including sending
specific default
programs to LED lamps to be used when the DMX control signals are not present.
Using RDM-
enabled controllers with RDM-enabled LED lamps eliminates the need for
separate DMX
addressing units. An RDM-DMX enable printed circuit board (PCB) may be used
inside the
extrusion of the LED lamp. Addressing and all system control configuration may
be done by an
RDM enabled DMX controller.
[00111] After receiving the DMX control signal, the DMX converter 106 can
convert the
control signal into a local lamp control signal and transmit that local signal
to lamp 104. For
example, the local control signal may include an instruction to flash a
certain color (e.g., flash
red or blue), to dim, to display a combination of colors, or other similar
instructions commonly
received and implemented by an intelligent lighting fixture.
[00112] It should be noted that FIG. 1 includes a single lamp 104 by way of
example only. A
fixture may be designed such that multiple numbers of lamps are included,
e.g., two or four total
lamps, or more or fewer lamps. In such a fixture, the output of power supply
102 would be
provided to each lamp, as would the local lamp control signal as output by the
DMX converter
106. FIG. 3 provides an example of a multi-lamp fixture, and the related
disclosure as included
below includes additional detail.
[00113] FIG. 2 depicts a diagram illustrating a lighting fixture system 200
according to an
embodiment. System 200 is similar to system 100 as shown in FIG. 1 in that an
LED lamp may
be retrofit in an existing fixture and modified accordingly to include DMX
communications.
However, in system 200, the DMX converter has been integrated as a component
of the lamp,
thereby further increasing the ease of retrofitting an existing light fixture.
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[00114] The lighting fixture system 200 may include, for example, a power
supply 202, a lamp
204, and a DMX controller 206. Similar to above, depending upon the
installation of the lighting
fixture, lamp 204 may be, for example, an RGB lamp or an RGBW lamp.
[00115] As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply 202 may be operably connected to
a power input
and configured to produce a suitable output voltage for operation of the lamp
204. Additionally,
through the power connection to the lamp 204, the power supply may further
provide power for
the integrated DMX converter. In operation, the DMX controller 206 may send
one or more
instructions as a DMX control signal to a network of connected devices. As
shown in FIG. 2, the
DMX control signal may be transmitted directly to the lamp 204 for further
processing by the
integrated DMX converter. For example, the lamp may be designed and
manufactured to provide
an input plug or other physical connection component for operably connecting
the lamp 204 and
the DMX controller 206. Alternatively, the lighting fixture itself may be
retrofit or otherwise
designed to include an input component for establishing an operably connection
between the
lamp 204 (and the integrated DMX converter) and the DMX controller 206. Like
before, the
integrated DMX converter can have an associated address and, based upon that
address, can
determine which instructions of the DMX control signal are intended for the
lamp the DMX
converter is integrated in, e.g., lamp 204 as shown in FIG. 2. The DMX
converter can then
convert the control signal into a local lamp control signal for controlling
operation of the lamp
204.
[00116] More specifically, the LED light tubes use an external DMX address
unit. The address
unit connects to the DMX input of the LED light tube. The DMX address is then
selected on the
address unit. Then the address unit sends the selected address to the LED
light tube. The LED
light tube then stores and responds to the selected DMX address. The DMX
address unit can be
used for all LED light tubes with internal DMX converters.
[00117] While some of the embodiments are described using a ballast, it is
recognized that the
system may be operated without a ballast by wiring the fixture tombstones
direct to line voltage.
It is noted that a fixture tombstone may also be referred to herein as a
socket, lamp socket,
holder, and/or lamp holder. The lamp may automatically switch to the correct
line voltage being
supplied. The DMX converter is built-in to the light tube. The light tube may
not need a separate
external power supply or ballast. For retro fit applications, the ballast is
by passed and not used.
For new installations, the light fixture may include the frame with tombstones
wired directly to
line voltage. All of the electrical and DMX components can be built into the
LED light tube.
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[00118] FIG. 3 depicts a diagram illustrating a lighting fixture system 300
according to an
embodiment that builds upon, for example, system 200 as shown in FIG. 2 by
incorporating
multiple lamps. The lighting fixture system 300 may include, for example, a
power supply 302,
multiple lamps 304a, 304b through 304n, and a DMX controller 306. Similar to
above,
depending upon the installation of the lighting fixture, lamps 304a, 304b, . .
. , 304n may be, for
example, RGB lamps, RGBW lamps or some combination thereof
[00119] As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply 302 may be operably connected to
a power input
and configured to produce a suitable output voltage for operation of each of
the lamps 304a,
304b, . . . , 304n. The power supply may power multiple low voltage LED light
tubes with a
large low voltage power supply. A multi-conductor cable may be used to deliver
the low voltage
to power the tombstones of the light fixtures and the LED light tubes.
[00120] Additionally, through the power connection to the lamp 304, the power
supply may
further provide power for an integrated DMX converter integrated within each
of lamps 304a,
304b, . . . , 304n. In operation, the DMX controller 306 may send one or more
instructions as a
DMX control signal to a network of connected devices. As shown in FIG. 3, the
DMX control
signal may be transmitted directly to lamp 304a for further processing by the
integrated DMX
converter at that lamp. Additionally, the DMX converter within lamp 304a may
be configured to
output the DMX control signal to the DMX converter integrated within lamp
304b. Similarly,
each integrated DMX converter may be configured to output the DMX control
signal to another
lamp. To provide for connectivity, each lamp may be designed and manufactured
to provide an
input plug or other physical connection component for operably connecting the
lamp 304a and
the DMX controller 306. Similarly, each lamp may also include an output plug
or physical
connection for operably connecting one lamp to another for transferring the
DMX control signal.
For example, the output of lamp 304a may be operably connected to the input of
lamp 304b.
[00121] In some embodiments, the power supply and control modules may be
combined into
one unit or printed circuit board in order to reduce cost and ease of
installation of the equipment
within the LED lamp. Combined power supply and control module variants include
a power
supply 18 in conjunction with wired DMX 19 with or without RDM as in FIG. 33,
with wired
and wireless DMX 20 with or without RDM as in FIG. 34, wireless DMX 20 with 21
or without
RDM and no DMX wired input or output control cables as in FIG. 35, wireless
Bluetooth mesh
control 22 with five channels of 12-24VDC dimming channels for constant
voltage LED loads
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and no control cables as in FIG. 36, and bluetooth mesh to DMX 22 wired output
connections as
in FIG. 37.
[00122] FIG. 55 illustrates power supplies, which may be comprised
of single end power
240, female, end caps with power cords for plugging the LED lamp 245 into a
power outlet 246.
The power end cap 240 securely fits over the male power end of the lamp 245.
The power end
cap 240 may include two female receiving opening for the two power pins of the
high voltage
end cap of the LED lamp 245. This will provide electrical power to energize a
single lamp 245.
This power adapter end cap 24 may have the power cable exit the side of the
end cap. The
opposite end of the power adapter end cap 24 may be a male end and made to fit
into a female,
receiving base of a flat surface floor or table top stand, as seen in FIG. 56.
[00123] FIG. 59 shows a mounting base 241 that includes a large
flat base so the lamp 245
and the power end cap 240 can be stood up vertically on its end. The mounting
base 241 includes
an opening to allow for the power cable to slide into the stand as seen in
FIG. 56, FIG. 57. The
non-powered LED lamp end cap may include a similar female receiving cap, shown
in FIG. 58,
that may fit over the lamp 245 end cap with bi-pins and optional data cables
to secure and
conceal the pins, making the end cap of the LED lamp 245 secure and decorative
when used with
a mounting base. The mounting base 241 may also include flat sides at various
angles so that the
lamp 245 may be used horizontally. These various angles allow for selection of
the degree of the
angle of the lamp 245, creating utility in lighting walls or performers, and
facilitating a secure
way to angle the lamp 245. The mounting base 241 can also be fabricated to
include a female
opening for screws to connect to a rechargeable battery 248 as shown in FIG.
60. The LED lamp
power connector can then plug into the battery powered stand receptacle 247.
The battery
powered unit 248 may be used for temporary lighting productions. The lighting
control may be
from the wired or wireless connections included with the LED lamp.
[00124] FIG. 47 illustrates how an LED lamp extrusion 131 may also
be made with
various levels of ingress protection, including gaskets 132, silicon 133, and
shrink materials 134
to secure the LED lense 136 and end caps 137. Water resistant data connectors
135 are included
on all wired data connections.
[00125] FIG. 61 illustrates LED lamps 251 that may be powered by
twenty-four volt from
an external power supply 252. The power supply 252 may be a high voltage 253
converted to a
low voltage 254 then distributed to the light fixtures 252 and lamps 251. The
power connections
may be the same as the high voltage fixtures and lamps 251. The larger the
power supply 252,
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the larger quantity of fixtures 258 and lamps 251 that could be energized by
the power supply
252. One of the benefits of this low voltage configuration is minimal need to
use a high voltage
electrical contractor for installation. The lighting control 256 may be from
the wired or wireless
connections 257 included with the LED lamp 251.
[00126] FIG. 62 shows a configuration in which power and data may
be transferred on the
same multi-pin connector. Similar to a three pin data connection, this
configuration may include
power and data on the same end cap. There may be two pins for high voltage
power 261 and
three pins for low voltage data connections 262. The five pins may be in a
straight line across the
end cap, as seen in FIG. 63. FIG. 64 shows a lamp holder with five female
receiving connections
265 may connect the power and data of the lamp. The high voltage pins may be
larger in
diameter than the low voltage data pins 262. The openings in the lamp holder
264 may be
matched to the diameters of the pins 261, 262. Therefore, only the correct
sized pin could be
input into the lamp holder (264). The high and low voltage cable connections
266 may be at the
base of the lamp holder (264). Once matched, the lamp may then be twisted into
the lamp holder
the power and data connections would be made.
[00127] FIG. 65 illustrates an integrated battery back-up 271 that
may be included for life
safety. A battery backup 271 may be installed into the LED lamp aluminum
extrusion 272. The
battery 271 may be charged while the lamp 272 is connected to high voltage
electrical power
273. If a power outage occurs, the battery control board 274 may switch the
power to the battery
backup 271 to energize the LED lamp 272. While the LED lamp 272 is energized
by the battery
power, it may use a default lighting program of the DMX board 276 for its
output color. The
LED lamp 272 may stay energized by the battery backup 271 until the battery is
exhausted or the
high voltage power 273 is returned. When high voltage is returned, the battery
backup may go
back to the charging mode, so it is recharged and ready for the next outage. A
wireless
transceiver 277 or wired DMX data cable connections 278 could be utilized for
lighting control.
[00128] Similar to above, for each lamp, the integrated DMX converter can have
an associated
address and, based upon that address, can determine which instructions of the
DMX control
signal are intended for the lamp the DMX converter is integrated in, e.g., one
of lamps 304a,
304b, . . . , 304n as shown in FIG. 3. The DMX converter can then convert the
control signal into
a local lamp control signal for controlling operation of the lamp in which it
is integrated.
[00129] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the power supplies 102, 202, 302 may be
configured to receive
a power input and produce an appropriate output for the various lamps and
other components.
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Such an arrangement may be included in a low-voltage operation such as a 12
volt power
system. However, the fixtures, systems and techniques as described herein may
be applied to
higher voltage systems as well. For example, rather than a standard power
supply, an inductive
ballast or a resistive ballast may be used for a higher voltage operation,
such as 90-277 VAC
50/60 Hz power systems.
[00130] FIG. 4 illustrates a system 400 that includes an inductive ballast 402
for receiving a line
voltage (e.g., 120 VAC at 60 Hz) and outputting appropriate power levels for
operation of lamps
404a and 404b.
[00131] Similar to FIG. 3, a DMX controller 406 may send one or more
instructions as a DMX
control signal to a network of connected devices. As shown in FIG. 4, the DMX
control signal
may be transmitted directly to lamp 404a for further processing by the
integrated DMX converter
at that lamp. Additionally, the DMX converter within lamp 404a may be
configured to output the
DMX control signal to the DMX converter integrated within lamp 404b.
[00132] As described above, for each lamp, the integrated DMX converter can
have an
associated address and, based upon that address, can determine which
instructions of the DMX
control signal are intended for the lamp the DMX converter is integrated in,
e.g., one of lamps
404a, 404b as shown in FIG. 4. The DMX converter can then convert the control
signal into a
local lamp control signal for controlling operation of the lamp in which it is
integrated.
[00133] Absent an instruction or control signal from a DMX controller (e.g.,
DMX controller
108 as shown in FIG. 1), the lighting fixtures and systems as described herein
may be configured
to operate in a standard operating mode. In such a mode, the LED lamps may be
configured to
simply output a white light, or some possible color of light as determined
based upon what type
of LED light tube is used in construction of the lamp. For example, if the LED
lamp uses RGB
light tubes, absent a DMX instruction the lighting fixture may output an
approximated white
light as created by using a combination of the red, blue and green LEDs.
Conversely, if the LED
lamp uses RGBW light tubes, absent a DMX instruction the lighting fixture may
output a true
white light by utilizing only the white LEDs or any combination of color and
wavelength using
other types of LEDs.
[00134] Additionally or alternatively, the lighting fixtures and systems and
described herein
may also include a local memory for storing one or more built-in programs for
outputting a
specific lighting pattern or effect when there is no specific DMX control
signal or instruction.
For example, a localized controller may load a built-in program when a DMX
control signal is
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not present, and run the local built-in program accordingly until, for
example, the program is
complete or the fixture receives a new or updated DMX control signal.
Similarly, multiple
fixtures may be operably connected such that a common built-in program is
performed by each
fixture simultaneously, thereby providing integrated lighting effects without
a specific DMX
control signal. In another example, the built-in programs may be configured
with a default output
light show that is used when a DMX control signal from an external light
controller is
unavailable. That is, the LED lamps may emit light based on a control signal
from the localized
controller. The control signal from the localized controller may be factory
set and may be
specific to the type of LEDs used in the LED lamp. For example, the localized
controller may
send a default control signal to the LED lamp to turn on the white LEDs in the
LED lamp and
emit white light. Thus, the LED lamp can emit white light when the LED lamps
are installed in
the lamp fixture and the control cables and/or external controller are not yet
installed. In one or
more cases, a fire alarm triggered relay may be connected in-line with the
external lighting
control power. When a fire alarm is triggered, the external controller is
powered off and the LED
lamps default to one or more built-in programs. For example, the LED lamp may
receive a
default signal from the internal controller to emit white light.
[00135] FIG. 5 illustrates a sample lamp 500 for use in a fixture as described
herein. For
example, the lamp 500 may be incorporated into one or more of systems 100,
200, 300 and 400
as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and described above. The lamp 500 includes a base 502
configured to
establish a connection between the fixture the lamp is installed in and the
lamp itself, thereby
providing power to the lamp for illuminating a light tube 504 of the lamp. As
described above,
the light tube 504 may include one or more LED light strip combinations
including, for example,
RGB LEDs, RGBW LEDs, W LEDs, UV LEDs, or any LED combinations and lighting
wavelength described herein.
[00136] According to one or more embodiments as described herein, the base 502
may also
include a local DMX converter, similar to the local DMX converter as shown in
lamp 204 of
FIG. 2. The local DMX converter may receive a DMX control signal via a DMX
input line 506
and process the control signal to determine if the control signal is intended
for lamp 500. If the
local DMX converter determines the control signal is intended for lamp 500
(e.g., via a
comparison of addressing information contained within the DMX control signal),
the local DMX
converter may further process the control signal to determine what effect the
lamp 500 is being
instructed to output. The local DMX converter can output the local DMX control
signal to one or
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more additional lamps via a DMX output line 508. As described above, absent a
DMX
instruction the lamp 500 may output a true white light by utilizing only the
white LEDs (if
available) or any color from the built-in programming from the DMX converter.
[00137] Additionally or alternatively, a lamp such as lamp 500 may include
ultraviolet (UV)
LEDs. For example, the white LEDs (e.g., in a RGBW lamp) can be replaced by UV
LEDs. In
another example, UV LEDs may be added to an existing lamp rather than replace
one or more of
the existing colored LEDs from the lamp. UV LEDs may be incorporated into a
lamp, and thus a
light fixture, to provide additional lighting techniques such as black
lighting and/or ultraviolet
lighting, thereby providing decorative and artistic lighting effects and
applications. Additionally,
UV LEDs may be used in concert with phosphorescence and photoluminescence
materials,
fluorescent dyes, fabrics and other materials to provide additional lighting
effects for various
lighting applications. UV-A LEDs at a wavelength of between about 315 to 400
to 420nm may
be used to produce increased ultraviolet effects. At higher, about 400 to
420nm wavelengths
there is mostly visible light and less ultraviolet. The human eye can see from
about 380nm of this
wavelength. The wavelength for optimal ultraviolet lighting effect is about
365nm. At this
wavelength, the ultraviolet light is not visible by the human eye, because the
output is mostly
ultraviolet light and very little visible light. Therefore, when the invisible
light shines on a
surface with phosphorescent pigment it becomes activated and glows. 395nm is
also good at
glowing phosphorescent pigments but there is more visible light than at the
365nm wavelength.
[00138] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, another exemplary lamp 600 for use in a
fixture as
described herein. For example, the lamp 600 may be incorporated into one or
more of systems
100, 200, 300 and 400 as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and described above. The lamp 600
includes
opposed bases 602 configured to establish a connection, for example, via the
input pins 606,
between the fixture the lamp is installed in and the lamp itself, thereby
providing power to the
lamp for illuminating a light tube 604 of the lamp. As described above, the
light tube 604 may
include one or more LED light strips including, for example, RGB, RGB-W, RGB-
UV, RGB-IR,
RGB-A, RGB-W-UV, RGB-W-IR, RGB-UV-IR, UV-IR, W-UV, W-IR, W-UV-IR, RGB-UV-
IR-W, W-A, RGB-A-IR-W or any combination and wavelength. Similar to base 502,
the base
602 may also include a local DMX converter, similar to the local DMX converter
as shown in
lamp 204 of FIG. 2.
[00139] Each base 602 is configured to be rotatable for beam focus and
adjustable relative to the
light tube 604. In the illustrated embodiment, each base 602 includes an
inwardly extending
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detent 610 configured to engage a corresponding groove 612 on the light tube
604 such that the
components are interconnected but rotatable relative to one another. Other
mechanisms for
rotatable interconnection may alternatively be utilized. When the tube is
installed, the input pins
are lined up with the tombstones and then the bases 602, instead of the entire
lamp, are rotated
and secured in the tombstones. Each base 602 may include a tab 608 or the like
to assist with
twisting thereof. By having adjustable bases 602, the tubes and lens 605, if
included, can be
easily focused and the beam angle adjusted for each of the tubes 604. It is
further contemplated
that the lenses 605 may be interchangeable for various size beams.
[00140] For each of the embodiments described herein, the lamps 104, 204, 304,
404, 500, 600
may have light tubes of standard size or custom size. For example, the lamps
may be
manufactured in standard diameters of T2 to T17 with standard lengths of, for
example, 15
inches, 18 inches, 24 inches, 36 inches or 48 inches. The lamps may also be
manufactured with
larger diameters and different lengths, for example, lengths intermediate of
the standard lengths
or lengths longer than the standard lengths, for example, 96 inches or more.
The larger diameter
tubes may be utilized to provide multiple rows of various types of led nodes.
The larger tubes
may also facilitate lamps with increased wattage. The lamps may also have
configurations other
than the illustrated linear configurations. For example, the lamps may have U-
shaped or circular
configurations. Also, the lamps may be manufactured with single, dual or
further configurations
of pins for input of electrical power.
[00141] It should be noted that each of FIGS. 1-4 illustrates a single fixture
for illustrative
purposes only. Additionally, multiple fixtures may be arranged into a network
of connected
devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, DMX controller 108 may provide a DMX
control
signal to another light fixture. Such a communication may be a wired
connection according to
standard DMX protocols. Alternatively, the connection may be a wireless
connection using
standard wireless communication protocols such as mesh networking protocols.
In such an
arrangement, one or more fixtures may communicate with multiple other fixtures
simultaneously, thereby providing redundant wireless communication links
between the fixtures
should one or more links fail (e.g., if a fixture loses power for some
reason).
[00142] FIG. 8A illustrates an isometric view of an LED lamp 800 (hereinafter
"lamp 800").
FIG. 8B illustrates an exploded view of the lamp 800 of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8C
illustrates a cross-
sectional side view, taken along section A-A, of the lamp 800 of FIG. 8A. FIG.
8D illustrates a
wiring diagram of the lamp 800 of FIG. 8A.
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[00143] The lamp 800 may include a chassis 808 coupled to a lens 806. The lamp
800 may
include end caps 802 and 804 disposed on opposite ends of the chassis 808 and
the lens 806. In
one or more cases, the end caps 802 and 804 fasten the chassis 808 and the
lens 806 and enclose
the ends of the lamp 800. The end caps 802 and/or 804 may receive an output
power from the
power input. In one or more cases, the end cap 802 may be a high voltage end
cap configured to
receive high voltage signals. For example, the end cap 802 may receive a
voltage signal of at or
about 90-277 VAC at 50/60 Hz. In one or more cases, the end cap 804 may be a
low voltage end
cap configured to receive low voltage signals.
[00144] The chassis 808 may be an elongated rigid structure configured to
house one or more
components within the lamp 800. The chassis 808 may be formed of metal or an
opaque plastic.
The outer surface 808a of the chassis 808 may be formed in a semi-cylindrical
shape, semi-
cuboid shape, or the like, in which the proximal end 808b of the chassis 808
includes mounting
platform 824. The lens 806 may be an elongated rigid structure configured to
cover the proximal
end 808b of the chassis 808. The lens 806 may be formed of a transparent or
semi-transparent
material configured to allow light emitted from a LED strip 810 to pass
through the lens 806 to
an outside environment. In one or more cases, the lens 806 may be used to
focus light emitted
from the LED strip 810. The lens 806 may be formed in a semi-cylindrical shape
semi-cuboid
shape, or the like. The lamp 800 may have a cylindrical shape, a cuboid shape,
or the like when
the chassis 808 is coupled with the lens 806.
[00145] FIG. 50 shows a beam shaping lens 161. A beam shaping lens 161 may
shape beams in
various ways to change light output or output pattern of the light from an LED
lamp 162. Lenses
(161) may be capable of many different degrees of beam shaping, such as about
400-1400 161,
50 -150 164, 15 -95 163, or 50-500 165. A lens 161 may also encompass
various degrees of
frost or diffusion lenses to soften light output or increase the dispersion
pattern of an LED lamp.
A frosted lens may also increase the visual effects at each LED lamp. Narrow
lenses can be used
to reduce the output pattern.
[00146] In other embodiments, a lens may be replaced by a Wood's Glass Filter
as shown in
FIG. 54. A Wood's Glass Filter 221 allows ultraviolet and infrared light to
pass through, while
blocking most visible light, and may be used in specific ultraviolet light
scenarios. A Wood's
Glass Filter 221 could be used as an additional light filter for just
ultraviolet or infrared LED
diodes of a multicolor LED lamp 223, and could be placed underneath a
traditional 222 or beam
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shaping lens. A Wood's Glass Filter 221 can increase ultraviolet or infrared
lighting effects by
reducing the amount of visible light.
[00147] The lamp 800 is configured to house one or more components, such as,
but not limited
to, a data control board ("DCB") 816, a DCB support housing 818, a data
control board support
812, a power control board ("PCB") 822, a PCB support housing 820, a power
control board
support 814, and the LED strip 810. The DCB 816 may send control signals to
the LED strip 810
in order to light one or more LEDs of the LED strip 810. In one or more cases,
the DCB 816 may
operate in a same or similar manner as the DMX converter 106 as described
above.
[00148] The DCB support housing 818 couples the DCB 816 with the data control
board
support 812. The DCB support housing 818 may be a rigid casing sized to house
the DCB 816.
The DCB support housing 818 may be an insulating enclosure for the DCB 816.
The DCB 816
may be inserted into the DCB support housing 818, and the DCB support housing
818 may be
mounted to the data control board support 812.
[00149] The PCB 822 may be used to regulate voltage signals transmitted from
the power input
to the LED strip 810. The PCB 822 may convert AC voltage signals to DC voltage
signals. For
example, the PCB 822 may convert 90-277 VAC at 50/60 Hz to 12 VDC and supply
power to
the DCB 816 and the LED strip 810. In one or more cases, the PCB 822 may
operate in a same
or similar manner as the power supply 102 as described above. The PCB support
housing 820
couples the PCB 822 with the power control board support 814. The PCB support
housing 820
may be a rigid casing sized to house the PCB 822. The PCB support housing 820
may be an
insulating enclosure for the PCB 822. The PCB 822 may be inserted into the PCB
support
housing 820, and the PCB support housing 820 may be mounted to the power
control board
support 814.
[00150] The mounting platform 824 of the chassis 808 may be positioned on the
proximal end
808b of the chassis 808 and may extend in a longitudinal direction of the
chassis 808. The LED
strip 810 may be disposed on a first surface 824a of the mounting platform 824
facing the lens
806. A second surface 824b of the mounting platform 824 may include one or
more extrusions
830 that extend towards the distal end 808c of the chassis 808. The one or
more extrusions 830
may be formed from metal. The one or more extrusions 830 may act as heat sinks
to dissipate
heat generated by the LED strip 810. The one or more extrusions 830 may be
formed in a variety
of shapes, for example, a "T" shape.
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[00151] The chassis 808 may include one or more interlocking tabs, such as
interlocking tab
826a and 826b. The one or more interlocking tabs may be rigid tabs configured
to interlock with
the ends of the lens 806. The interlocking tab 826a and interlocking tab 826b
may be disposed on
opposite ends of the mounting platform 824. The protruded portions 824c and
824d of the
respective interlocking tabs 826a and 826b may protrude inwards, for example,
towards one
another. The protruded portion 824c may be inserted into a recess on an end of
the lens 806, and
the protruded portion 824d may be inserted into another recess on an opposite
end of the lens
806, thereby interlocking the chassis 808 with the lens 806. The lens 806 may
be a flexible
structure configured to bend, such that the recesses may be positioned with
the respective
protruded portion 824c and 824d. In one or more cases, the rear portion 804b
of the end cap 804
and a rear portion of the end cap 802 may each include at least two tabs to
secure the lens 806 to
the chassis 808. For instance, at least two tabs may be disposed on opposite
sides of the end cap
804 and may each protrude from the rear portion 804b of the end cap 804. The
at least two tabs
may be spaced apart far enough such that the lens 806 coupled with the chassis
808 may fit
snugly between the at least two tabs.
[00152] The LED strip 810 may include one or more LEDs, such as LEDs 810a,
LEDs 810b,
and LEDs 810c. The LEDs 810a, LEDs 801b, and LEDs 810c may each emit light
containing
individual colors or wavelengths, such as R, G, B, W, UV, IR, A, and the like,
or a combination
of colors and/or wavelengths, including but not limited to, RGB, RGB-W, RGB-
UV, RGB-IR,
RGB-A, RGB-W-UV, RGB-W-IR, RGB-W-A, RGB-UV-IR, UV-IR, W-UV, W-IR, W-A, W-
UV-IR, RGB-UV-lR-W, RGB-A-lR-W or any other combination.
[0100] The lamp 800 may be used as a horticultural growth lamp by emitting R,
B, W light using
specific wavelengths and color temperatures (as measured in degrees Kelvin
(K), for example,
1,000 to 10,000 K). For example, the lamp 800 may include one or more LEDs
emitting R light,
one or more LEDs emitting B light, and one or more LEDs emitting W light. The
LEDs for
emitting R light may emit R light at a wavelength between 620 nm and 700 nm.
The LEDs for
emitting B light may emit B light at a wavelength between 400 nm and 495 nm.
The LEDs for
emitting W light may emit W light at a wavelength between 400 nm and 700 nm.
[0101] Horticultural growth lamps may provide artificial sunlight with various
colors and
lighting wave lengths to grow horticultural crops, as seen in FIG. 23. Each
lamp 4 may include
two rows of white 1 4000 K LEDs, one row of 435-440nm blue LEDs 2 and one row
of 660-
710nm red LEDs 3. As seen in FIG. 24, other wavelengths can be used for
different types of
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crops, such as green LEDs emitting light at a wavelength between 500 and 550nm
5, or far-red
LEDs emitting light at a wavelength of 711 to 750nin 6. Each LED lamp may
include a DMX
control receiver to operate the system. This control system may be used to
schedule the lighting
output and duration needed for each stage of the growing process. The DMX
control signal may
be wired, as seen in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, wireless as in FIG. 25, or a
combination of the two like
in FIG. 26. These LED lamps may also be used with wireless Bluetooth with five
12-24VDC
dimming channels for constant voltage LED loads as in FIG. 27, and wireless
Bluetooth to DMX
as in FIG. 28. Other control systems are considered.
[0102] In other embodiments, lamps may have other utilities, such as being
used for germicidal
purposes. A germicidal LED lamp as seen in FIG. 29 may include white 7 and
ultraviolet 9 LED
diodes with DMX, Bluetooth, or similar control. The white diodes may be used
for general white
lighting at various color temperatures ranging between about 2700 to 6500 K.
The ultraviolet
(UV-C) diodes may have a wavelength between about 100 to 280nm. The most
effective
germicidal wavelengths are typically about 254 to 280nm. The white and
ultraviolet diodes may
be used separately. The white may be used for general white lighting when
occupants are present
in the room or space, while ultraviolet may be used to kill germs when
occupants are not present.
Lighting control may be used to operate and schedule when which lighting is to
be used, as
showed by FIG. 30. An occupancy sensor 12 may be included with the lighting
control. The
occupancy sensor 12 may be used to turn-off the ultraviolet diodes and turn on
the white diodes
when the occupancy sensor is activated. Control can be wired or wireless DMX,
as in FIG. 30,
Bluetooth as in FIG. 31, Wi-Fi, or other types of control. These lamps may be
used in hospitals,
doctors offices, schools, transportation centers, corporate, government,
retail and many more
applications.
[0103] FIG. 32 shows, in yet other embodiments, LED lamps may be used for
human-centric
purposes, e.g., configured to accommodate human circadian rhythms. Human-
centric lighting
uses artificial light with the appropriate hues, which mimic natural sun light
cycles during a 24
hour period to align with human sleep-wake-cycles. The benefits include better
sleep, increased
productivity, improved mood and faster cognitive processing. The LED lamp 14
color tunes the
lighting spectrum to help create a warmer or cooler atmosphere. This promotes
natural melatonin
production and better, natural sleep and wake cycles of the human body. The
LED lamp 14 may
emit specific lighting wavelengths that provide similar circadian rhythm
benefits. LED lamps 14
may include the full color spectrum of LED diodes (red, green, blue, white,
ultraviolet) 15 that
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can dim and color tune the lighting when used with a lighting control system
(DMX 15,
DMX/Bluetooth 16, Wi-Fi, and others).
[0104] There are typically three electric light approaches to implementing a
circadian lighting
system. These include: intensity tuning, color tuning, and stimulus tuning.
Many combinations of
LEDs, diodes, and the number of pixels may be available in the light tubes for
color-tuning
applications. Intensity tuning is the most familiar and cost-effective
solution to circadian
lighting. The LED lamp(s) include intensity tuning and maintain a fixed
correlated color
temperature (CCT) while the intensity or brightness of the lamp(s) are raised
or lowered by the
control system. The controls can be correlated with time of day. The LED
lamp(s) may be set to
a lower intensity in the early morning and transition to a higher intensity as
the day progresses.
Then, reduced to a lower intensity in the evening. The LED Lamps may also
include color
tuning. Color tuning may change the light intensity and the correlated color
temperature to
mimic the day/night cycle. Humans experience cooler color temperatures ranging
from 4000K
up to about 10,000K when the sun is highest in the sky. This is when humans
are typically most
alert during the day. Therefore, cooler correlated color temperatures may be
used when it's
appropriate to promote alertness and attention. Warmer color temperatures
ranging from 2700K
to 3500K may be used to represent daylight hours when the sun is rising and
setting when people
are waking up or falling asleep. Circadian lighting systems are set to adjust
based on the
con-elated color temperature we typically observe at any given time of the
day. The LED lamp(s)
include stimulus tuning. This lighting technology replaces the "bad blue" with
"good blue" light
wavelengths. Stimulus tuning with the LED lamps can be programmed to reduce
blue light
wavelengths during the evening hours to limit melatonin suppression without
changing the
correlated color temperature.
[0105] FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of the data control board support
812 and an end cap
804. FIG. 10A illustrates an isometric view of the end cap 804 of FIG. 9. FIG.
10B illustrates a
top view of the end cap 804 of FIG. 9. FIG. 10C illustrates a side view of the
end cap 804 of
FIG. 9. FIG. 10D illustrates a bottom view of the end cap 804 of FIG. 9.
[0106] The data control board support 812 includes an elongated rigid member
812a having one
or more support brackets, such support brackets 902a, 902b, and 902c. The data
control board
support 812 may be formed from a material or combination of materials, for
example, but not
limited to, a metal, a metal alloy, plastic, or the like. In one or more
cases, the data control board
support 812 may be rigid enough to hold the DCB support housing 818 or the PCB
support
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housing 820. In one or more cases, the data control board support 812 may have
a heat resistance
capable of withstanding the temperatures generated by the one or more
components, such as the
LED strip 810, DCB 816, and/or PCB 822 of the lamp 800.
[0107] The elongated rigid member 812a may be formed in a shape corresponding
to the shape
of the DCB support housing 818 and/or the PCB support housing 820. For
example, the
elongated rigid member 812a may have a rectangular shape corresponding to a
rectangular shape
of a surface of the DCB support housing 818. In one or more cases, a proximal
end 812b of the
elongated rigid member 812a may be coupled to a rear portion 804b of the end
cap 804. In one
example, the elongated rigid member 812a is coupled to the rear portion 804b
of the end cap
804, such that the data control board support 812 is permanently fixed to the
end cap 804. To
permanently fix the data control board support 812 to the end cap 804, a
portion of the data
control board support 812 may be positioned within the end cap 804, and the
portion of the data
control board support 812 and the end cap 804 may be coupled to one another
via an adhesive or
other bonding agent. In another example, the proximal end 812b of the
elongated rigid member
812a is removably coupled to the rear portion 804b of the end cap 804. To
removably couple the
data control board support 812 and the end cap 804, a portion of the data
control board support
812 may be positioned within the end cap 804, and the portion of the data
control board support
812 and the end cap 804 may be coupled to one another via fasteners such as
screws. For the
cases in which the elongated rigid member 812 is removably coupled to the end
cap 804, the end
cap 804 may be replaced with another end cap.
[0108] The support brackets 902a, 902b, and 902c may be formed in a shape to
hold the DCB
support housing 818 and/or the PCB support housing 820. For example, each of
the support
brackets 902a, 902b, and 902c may be formed in a "C" type shape. The support
brackets 902a,
902b, and 902c may be coupled with the elongated rigid member 812a in a
variety of manners,
such as being fastened together via screws, rivets, welding, or the like. The
support brackets
902a, 902b, and 902c may be coupled with the DCB support housing 818 or the
PCB support
housing 820 such that the DCB support housing 818 or the PCB support housing
820 may be
rigidly attached to the data control board support 812. In one or more cases,
by coupling the
DCB support housing 818 to the one or more support brackets of the data
control board support
812, the DCB support housing 818 is rigidly attached to the end cap 804. For
the cases in which
the DCB support housing 818 houses the DCB 816 and is attached to the data
control board
support 812, the DCB 816 may be fixedly positioned within the lamp 800, such
that the DCB
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816 is prevented from moving within the lamp 800. In one or more cases, by
coupling the PCB
support housing 820 to the one or more support brackets of the power control
board support 814,
the PCB support housing 820 is rigidly attached to the end cap 802. For the
cases in which the
PCB support housing 820 houses the PCB 822 and is attached to the power
control board support
814, the PCB 822 may be fixedly positioned within the lamp 800 such that the
PCB 822 is
prevented from moving within the lamp 800.
[0109] In one or more cases, a portion of the end cap 804 may be configured to
be inserted into a
socket of a lamp holder. For example, one or more signals pins, such as a
positive control signal
pin 904, a common contact signal pin 906, and a negative control signal pin
908, may be inserted
into the low voltage socket 1002 of the lamp holder 1000. The one or more
signal pins may be
elongated rigid members. The positive control signal pin 904, the common
contact signal pin
906, and the negative control signal pin 908 may protrude from an outer
surface 804a of the end
cap 804. In one or more cases, the one or more signal pins may extend from the
rear portion
804b of the end cap 804 through the outer surface 804a of the end cap 804. The
one or more
signal pins 904, 906, and 908 may be electrically coupled to the DCB 816
and/or the LED strip
810, as shown in FIG. 8D.
[0110] FIG. 48 shows how, in some embodiments, the power end cap 142 and lamp
holder of the
power lamp holder 141 may be color coded in order to easily identify which end
of the LED
lamp 143 is to be inserted into the appropriate lamp holder. This can also be
done with low
voltage control end caps 144 and lamp holders 145. For example: red end caps
142 may be
connected to red lamp holders 141 for high voltage power input, while blue end
caps 144 may be
connected to blue lamp holders 145 for low voltage control signals. In other
embodiments, as in
FIG. 49, LED lamps may be color coded by part or in the entirety in order to
identify different
models at a glance. For example, yellow strips on end caps may signify an
RGBW, one pixel
LED lamp configuration. Many color configurations are possible.
[0111] In other configurations, an LED lamp may have single or multiple pixels
per LED lamp.
A single pixel lamp will have the entire lamp function as one complete unit.
Multiple pixels
allow more detail within each lamp. Increasing the number of pixels per lamp
also increases the
number of DMX address per LED lamp. Higher number of pixels increases the
resolution of the
lighting output. The pixels are mapped in the control software to create
increase detail and
resolution in lighting playback.
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[0112] As shown in FIG. 51, an LED lamp may have single or multiple pixels 171
per LED
lamp. A single pixel lamp 17 will have the entire lamp function as one
complete unit. Multiple
pixels allow more detail by using less grouping of LED diodes within each lamp
171. Increasing
the number of pixels per lamp also increases the number of DMX addresses per
LED lamp.
Higher number of pixels increases the resolution of the lighting output. The
pixels are mapped in
the control software to create increase detail and resolution in lighting
playback.
[0113] The signals pins, 904, 906, and 908 may be inserted into the low
voltage socket 1002,
thereby electrically coupling the end cap 804 to the lamp holder 1000. The
signal pins 904, 906,
and 908 may be configured to receive one or more instructions via a low
voltage control signal
from a DMX controller, such as DMX controller 106. The signals pins, 904, 906,
and 908 may
be formed in a shape such as cylindrical shape, a polyhedronal shape, or the
like, that may fit
within the low voltage socket 1002. In one or more cases, the signals pins
904, 906, and 908 may
be arranged on the end cap 804 to correspond to the arrangement of the
contacts 1008, 1010, and
1012 and the standoff 1016 of the low voltage socket 1002. For example, the
signal pins 904,
906, and 908 may be linearly arranged across the end cap 804. When a pin is
inserted between
the contact 1008 and the standoff 1016, the standoff 1016 may guide and push
the pin into the
recess 1009 of the contact 1008. The standoff 1016 may be formed of an
insulating material
configured to shield the pin from contacts 1010 and 1012.
[0114] In one or more cases, the signal pin 906 positioned between the two
outer signal pins 904
and 908. Signal pin 906 may be positioned on a central portion of the end cap
804. In one or
more cases, the signal pins 904 and 906 may be positioned next to one another,
and the pin 908
may be offset from signal pins 904 and 906. The distance separating signal
pins 908 and 906
may be greater than the distance separating signal pins 904 and 906. In one or
more other cases,
the signal pins 906 and 908 may be positioned next to one another, and the
signal pin 904 may be
offset from signal pins 906 and 908.
[0115] In one or more cases, the signal pin 906 positioned between the two
outer signal pins 904
and 908. Signal pin 906 may be positioned on a central portion of the end cap
804. In one or
more cases, the signal pins 904 and 906 may be positioned next to one another,
and the pin 908
may be offset from signal pins 904 and 906. The distance separating signal
pins 908 and 906
may be greater than the distance separating signal pins 904 and 906. In one or
more other cases,
the signal pins 906 and 908 may be positioned next to one another, and the
signal pin 904 may be
offset from signal pins 906 and 908.
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[0116] In one or more cases, the signal pins 904, 906, and 908 of the low
voltage end cap 804
are arranged such that the signal pins 904, 906, and 908 cannot be inserted
into the receptacle,
formed by contact 1022 and standoff 1028, and the receptacle formed by contact
1024 and
standoff 1026, of the high voltage socket 1004. The standoff 1026 does not
include a recess
similar to the recess 1013 within contact 1012. Therefore, the standoff 1026
is not configured to
receive the signal pin 906. As the signal pin 906 is prevented by standoff
1026 from being
positioned within the high voltage socket 1004, the two receptacles of the
high voltage socket
1004 may prevent the signal pins 904, 906, and 908 from being rotated within
the high voltage
socket 1004. By preventing the low voltage end cap 804 from being inserted
into the high
voltage socket 1004, the lamp 800 is prevented from being improperly installed
within the lamp
holder 1000.
[0117] In one or more cases, the diameter of the signal pins 904, 906, and 908
on the end cap
804 may be greater than the diameter of a positive high voltage pin 903 and a
negative high
voltage pin 905 of the end cap 802. For example, the diameter of each of the
signal pins 904,
906, and 908 may be at or about 5 mm, and the diameter of each of the pins 903
and 905 may be
at or about 2 mm. By having a larger diameter, the signal pins 904, 906, and
908 are prevented
from being inserted into the receptacles of the high voltage socket 1004,
which are sized to
receive the smaller diameter pins 903 and 905.
[0118] In one or more cases, the end cap 804 may be formed in a shape
corresponding to a shape
of an outer surface of the chassis 808 coupled with the lens 806. For example,
the end cap 804
may have a cylindrical shape. In one or more cases, the end cap 804 may have a
tiered
configuration including an inner portion 910 and an outer portion 912. The
inner portion 910 and
the outer portion 912 may each have a cylindrical shape, in which the inner
portion 910 has a
greater diameter than the outer portion 912. The inner portion 910 may include
one or more
through holes, such as through holes 914a and 914b. In one or more cases, the
through holes
914a and 914b may be arranged perpendicular to the signal pins 904, 906, and
908, as shown in
at least FIGs. 8C, 10A, 10B, and 10D. In one or more other cases, the through
holes 914a and
914b may be arranged linearly with the signal pins 904, 906, and 908, as shown
in FIG. 10C. In
such a case as illustrated in FIG. 10C, the chassis 808 may be positioned
within the lamp 800,
such that the through holes 914a and 914b align with the indents 808e and 808f
of the chassis
808.
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[0119] The through holes 914a and 914b may each be sized to receive a
fastener. A fastener,
such as a screw, may be inserted through a through hole and fastened to an
indent, such as indent
808e or 808f of the chassis 808. In one or more cases, the through holes 914a
and 914b may
include a countersunk or counterbored hole 914c on an end portion of the
respective through
hole. The through holes 914a and 914b may be configured to receive a head of
the fastener,
thereby allowing the fastener to sit flush with or below the outer surface of
the inner portion 910.
When coupled to the indents 808e and 808f of the chassis 808, the inner
portion 910 is
positioned on the chassis 808 and the lens 806. The one or more signal pins
904, 906, and 908
may protrude from the outer surface of the outer portion 912. In one or more
other cases, the end
cap 804 may include a single uniform body without a tiered configuration. In
such a
configuration, the one or more through holes and the one or more signal pins
may be included on
the outer surface of the end cap 804.
[0120] It should be noted that the power control board support 814 includes
one or more of the
same or similar features of the data control board support 812. Accordingly, a
description of such
features is not repeated.
[0121] In one or more cases, a portion of the end cap 802 may be configured to
be inserted into a
socket of a lamp holder, for example the high voltage socket 1004 of the lamp
holder 1000. The
end cap 802 includes the positive high voltage pin 903 and the negative high
voltage pin 905.
The pins 903 and 905 of the end cap 802 may be elongated rigid members
protruding from an
outer surface of the end cap 802. The pins 903 and 905 of the end cap 802 may
be electrically
coupled to the PCB 822, as shown in FIG. 8D. The pins 903 and 905 of the end
cap 802 may be
inserted into the high voltage socket 1004, thereby electrically coupling the
end cap 802 to the
lamp holder 1000. The pins 903 and 905 may be formed in a shape such as
cylindrical shape, a
polyhedronal shape, or the like. In one or more cases, the pins 903 and 905
may be arranged on
the end cap 802 to correspond with the arrangement of the contacts 1022 and
1024, and standoffs
1026 and 1028 of the high voltage socket 1004. For example, the pins 903 and
905 may be
linearly arranged on the end cap 802. The pins 903 and 905 may be spaced apart
from one
another such that one pin may be positioned between contact 1022 and standoff
1028 and the
other pin may be positioned between standoff 1026 and contact 1024. When a pin
is inserted
between the contact 1022 and the standoff 1028, the standoff 1028 may guide
and push the pin
into the recess 1021 of the contact 1022. The standoffs 1026 and 1028 may be
formed of an
insulating material configured to shield the pin from contacts 1022 and 1026.
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[0122] FIG. 11A illustrates an isometric view of the lamp holder 1000. FIG.
11B illustrates the
low voltage socket 1002 of the lamp holder 1000 of FIG. 11A. FIG. 11C
illustrates the high
voltage socket 1004 of the lamp holder 1000 of FIG. 11A.
[0123] In one or more cases, the lamp holder 1000 includes the low voltage
socket 1002 and the
high voltage socket 1004 disposed on opposite ends of the lamp holder support
1006. The low
voltage socket 1002 and the high voltage socket 1004 are disposed far enough
away from one
another for the lamp 800 to be positioned between and coupled to the low
voltage socket 1002
and the high voltage socket 1004. A DMX controller, such as DMX controller
108, may be
connected to the low voltage socket 1002. The power supply 102 may be
connected to the high
voltage socket 1004.
[0124] The lamp holder support 1006 may be an elongated rigid member. In one
or more cases,
an end portion 1006b of the lamp holder support 1006 may be configured to
couple with a
bottom portion 1002b of the low voltage socket 1002, as shown in FIGs. 11A and
11B. The
bottom portion 1002b may include one or more indents, such as indents 1002c
and 1002d. The
end portion 1006b may include one or more protrusions configured to be
inserted into the one or
more indents 1002c and 1002d, respectively. The one or more protrusions may
interlock with the
one or more indents, thereby coupling the lamp holder support 1006 to the low
voltage socket
1002. The bottom portion 1002b may include receptacles 1018 and 1020
configured to route
input signal wires 1036 from the DMX controller 108 to a receiving portion
1012 of the low
voltage socket 1002.
[0125] In one or more cases, an end portion 1006a of the lamp holder support
1006 may be
configured to couple with a bottom portion 1004b of the high voltage socket
1004, as shown in
FIGs. 11A and 11C. The bottom portion 1004b may include one or more indents,
such as indents
1004c and 1004d. The end portion 1006a may include one or more protrusions
configured to be
inserted into the one or more indents 1004c and 1004d, respectively. The one
or more
protrusions may interlock with the one or more receiving indents, thereby
coupling the lamp
holder support 1006 to the high voltage socket 1004. The bottom portion 1004b
may include
receptacles 1032 and 1034 configured to route high voltage wires from the
power input to a
receiving portion 1030 of the high voltage socket 1004.
[0126] The upper portion 1002a of the low voltage socket 1002 may include the
receiving
portion 1014 configured to receive the signal pins 904, 906, and 908. The
receiving portion 1014
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may include contacts 1008, 1010, and 1012, and the standoff 1016. The
receiving portion 1014
may be positioned on the upper portion 1002a of the low voltage socket 1002.
[0127] The opposing surfaces of contact 1008 and standoff 1016 form a
receptacle for receiving
the negative control signal pin 908. The opposing surface of the standoff 1016
may be curved.
The opposing surface of the contact 1008 includes a recess 1009 that is
configured to hold a
portion of the signal pin 908. The opposing surface of the standoff 1016 may
curve towards the
opposing surface of the contact 1008 to guide the signal pin 908 into the
recess 1009 of the
contact 1008. The opposing surfaces of contacts 1010 and 1012 form a
receptacle for receiving
the positive control signal pin 904. The opposing surface of the contact 1012
may be curved. The
opposing surface of the contact 1012 may be insulated similar to the standoff
1016 to shield the
signal pin 904 from being electrically coupled to the contact 1012. The
opposing surface of the
contact 1010 may include a recess 1011 configured to hold a portion of the
signal pin 904. The
opposing surface of the contact 1012 may curve towards the opposing surface of
the contact
1010 to guide the signal pin 904 into the recess 1011. The surface opposite
the opposing surface
of the contact 1010 may include a recess 1013 configured to receive the common
contact signal
pin 906.
[0128] To couple the end cap 804 to the low voltage socket 1002, the signal
pins 904 and 906
are positioned within the recess 1011 and the recess 1013, respectively, such
that the signal pin
908 is positioned out of the receptacle defined by contact 1008 and the
standoff 1016. Having
positioned the signal pins 904 and 906 within the respective recesses, the
lamp 800 is rotated in
the receiving portion 1014, such that the signal pin 908 rotates downward into
the recess 1009 of
the receptacle. The end cap 804 is locked into the receiving portion 1014 when
the signal pin 908
is positioned within recess 1009, the pin 906 is positioned within recess
1013, and the pin 904 is
positioned within the recess 1011. When the end cap 804 is locked into the
receiving portion
1014, the signal pins 904, 906, and 908 may be horizontally arranged across
the low voltage
socket 1002.
[0129] The upper portion 1004a of the high voltage socket 1004 may include the
receiving
portion 1030 configured to receive the positive high voltage pin 903 and the
negative high
voltage pin 905 of the high voltage end cap 802. The receiving portion 1030
may include
contacts 1022 and 1024, and the standoffs 1026 and 1028. The receiving portion
1030 may be
positioned on the upper portion 1004a of the high voltage socket 1004. When
the end cap 802 is
coupled to the receiving portion 1030 and the end cap 804 is coupled to the
receiving portion
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1014, the lamp 800 may be disposed away from the upper surface of the lamp
holder support
1006. That is, when the lamp 800 is coupled to the lamp holder 1000, the outer
surface of the
lamp 800 is spaced away from the upper surface of the lamp holder support
1006, and does not
contact the upper surface of the lamp holder support 1006.
[0130] The opposing surfaces of contact 1022 and the standoff 1028 form a
receptacle for
receiving the negative pin 905. The opposing surface of the standoff 1028 may
be curved. The
opposing surface of the contact 1022 may include a recess 1021 configured to
hold a portion of
the negative pin 905. The opposing surface of the standoff 1028 may curve
towards the opposing
surface of the contact 1022 to guide the negative pin 905 into the recess 1021
of the contact
1022. The opposing surfaces of contact 1024 and standoff 1026 form a
receptacle for receiving
the positive pin 903. The opposing surface of 1026 may be curved. The opposing
surface of the
standoff 1026 may be insulated similar to the standoff 1028 to shield the
positive pin 903 from
being coupled to the standoff 1026. The opposing surface of the contact 1024
may include a
recess 1023 configured to hold a portion of the positive pin 903. The opposing
surface of the
standoff 1026 may curve towards the opposing surface of the contact 1024 to
guide the positive
pin 903 into the recess 1023.
[0131] To couple the end cap 802 to the high voltage socket 1004, the positive
pin 903 is
positioned within the recess 1023, such that the negative pin 905 is
positioned out of the
receptacle defined by the contact 1022 and the standoff 1028. Having
positioned the positive pin
903 within the recess 1023, the lamp 800 is rotated in the receiving portion
1030, such that the
negative pin 905 rotates downward into the recess 1021 of the receptacle. The
end cap 802 is
locked into the receiving portion 1030 when the negative pin 905 is positioned
within recess
1021 and the positive pin 903 is positioned within recess 1023. When the end
cap 802 is locked
into the receiving portion 1030, the positive pin 903 and the negative pin 905
may be
horizontally arranged across the high voltage socket 1004.
[0132] FIG. 12A illustrates an example wiring diagram of one or more light
fixtures including
one or more lamp holders 1000. FIG. 12B illustrates an example low voltage
control wiring
diagram for one or more connected low voltage sockets 1002. FIG. 12C
illustrates an example
high voltage wiring diagram for one or more connected high voltage sockets
1004.
[0133] The one or more lamp holders 1000 may be fixed to a lighting fixture,
such as lighting
fixture 1000A and 1000B, and one or more lamps 800 may be coupled to a
respective lamp
holder 1000. For example, two lamps 800 and two lamp holders 1000, as shown in
FIG. 12A,
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may be used in the lighting fixture 1000A. In another example, one lamp 800
may be coupled to
one lamp holder 1000 in one lighting fixture 1000A. In other examples, the
lighting fixture may
include three or more lamp holders 1000 per lighting fixture. In one or more
cases, the lamp
holders 1000 may be connected in parallel with one another.
[0134] The first low voltage socket 1002 of the first lamp holder 1000 may be
coupled to an
input signal wire 1036 to receive an input signal. The DMX controller 108 may
output the input
signal via the input signal wire 1036. The input signal wire 1036 may include
a positive control
signal wire (+), a negative control signal wire (-), and a common contact
signal wire (c), as
shown in FIG. 12B. The positive control signal wire may provide a positive
control signal. For
example, the positive control signal may include a positive voltage signal.
The negative control
signal wire may provide a negative control signal. For example, the negative
control signal may
include a negative voltage signal. The common contact signal wire may provide
a common
contact signal. Each of the positive control signal wire, the negative control
signal wire, and the
common contact signal wire may be connected to the respective contacts of the
low voltage
socket 1002. For example, the negative control signal wire may be connected to
contact 1008,
the positive control signal wire may be connected to contacts 1010, and the
common contact
signal wire may be connected to the contact 1012. In another example, the
negative control
signal wire may be connected to contact 1008, the positive control signal wire
may be connected
to contacts 1012, and the common contact signal wire may be connected to the
contact 1010.
[0135] The first lamp holder 1000 may be coupled to an output signal wire 1038
to output an
output signal. The output signal wire 1038 may provide an output signal from
the first lamp
holder 1000 to the next lamp holder; a lamp holder in the next light fixture;
or a low voltage
signal terminator 1042 if the lamp holder 1000 is the last lamp holder. The
output signal wire
1038 may include positive control signal wire (+), a negative control signal
wire (-), and a
common contact signal wire (c), as shown in FIG. 12B. The output signal wire
1038 may be used
as an input signal wire 1036 by being connected to the next lamp holder; a
lamp holder in the
next lighting fixture; or the low voltage signal terminator 1042 if the lamp
holder 1000 is the last
lamp holder.
[0136] The positive control signal wire may provide a positive control signal
from the first lamp
holder 1000 to the second lamp holder 1000, as shown in FIGs. 12A and 12B. The
negative
control signal wire may provide a negative control signal from the first lamp
holder 1000 to the
second lamp holder 1000, as shown in FIGs. 12A and 12B. The common contact
signal wire may
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provide a common contact signal from the DMX controller 108 to the second lamp
holder 1000.
Each of the positive control signal wire, the negative control signal wire,
and the common
contact signal wire may be connected to the respective contacts of the low
voltage socket 1002.
For example, for the cases in which the negative control signal wire of the
input signal wire 1036
and/or the output signal wire 1038 is connected to contact 1008 and the
positive control signal
wire is connected to contacts 1010, the negative control signal wire of the
output signal wire
1038 may be connected to contact 1008, the positive control signal wire may be
connected to
contacts 1012, and the common contact signal wire may be connected to the
contact 1010. In one
or more cases, the output signal of the second lamp holder 1000 may be
provided as an input
signal to another lamp holder; a lamp holder in the next lighting fixture; or
the low voltage signal
terminator 1042 if the second lamp holder 1000 is the last lamp holder.
[0137] In one or more cases, the lamp holders and lighting fixtures may be
daisy chained
together on a DMX universe (e.g., 512 DMX channels), in which a signal
terminator, such as the
low voltage signal terminator 1042, is installed on the end of low voltage
connection of the last
lamp holder for each control universe. Multiple DMX universes may be used and
mapped in the
programming software to expand the size and level of control desired for the
lighting systems.
The low voltage signal terminator 1042 may be a resistor connected across the
positive control
signal and the negative control signal. The resistor may have, for example, a
resistance of at or
about 120 ohms. The low voltage signal terminator 1042 may be used to remove
radio frequency
signal noise on a DMX universe.
[0138] In one or more cases, the high voltage socket 1004 of the lamp holder
1000 may be
coupled to an input signal wire 1050 to receive power from the power input, as
shown in FIG.
12A and 12C. For the cases in which there is more than one lamp holder, the
high voltage
sockets 1004 of each lamp holder 1000 may be connected to the power input to
provide power to
the PCB 822. The power input may supply electrical power of at or about 90 VAC
to 277 VAC
at 50/60 Hz to each lamp holder via the input signal wire 1050.
[0139] It should be noted that each of FIG. 12 illustrates two lamp holders
included in two
lighting fixtures, respectively, for illustrative purposes only. Additional
lamp holders and
lighting fixtures may be arranged into a network of connected devices. For
example, the DMX
controller 108 may provide a DMX control signal to a third light fixture. Such
a communication
may be a wired connection according to standard DMX protocols. Alternatively,
the connection
may be a wireless connection using standard wireless communication protocols
such as mesh
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networking protocols. In such an arrangement, one or more lighting fixtures
may communicate
with multiple other lighting fixtures simultaneously, thereby providing
redundant wireless
communication links between the lighting fixtures should one or more links
fail (e.g., if a fixture
loses power for some reason).
[0140] The lamp 800 may be formed in a standard size or custom size. For
example, the lamp
800 may be manufactured in standard diameters of T2 to T17 with standard
lengths of, for
example, 15 inches, 18 inches, 24 inches, 36 inches or 48 inches. The lamp 800
may also be
manufactured with a larger diameter and a different length, for example, a
length intermediate of
the standard length or lengths longer than the standard lengths, for example,
96 inches or more.
The larger diameter of the lamp 800 may be utilized to provide multiple rows
of various types of
LEDs, such as LED 810a, 810b, and 810c. The larger diameter may facilitate
lamp 800 having
an increased wattage. The lamp 800 may also have configurations other than the
illustrated linear
configuration. For example, the lamp 800 may have a U-shaped (FIG. 43),
circular (FIG. 42),
square (FIG. 44), rectangular (FIG. 45), or triangular (FIG. 46)
configuration. Also, the lamp 800
may be manufactured with bi-pin or multi-pin configurations for input of
higher or lower voltage
electrical power. These may include Bluetooth to other mesh control devices
and/or DMX wired
or wireless or Wi-Fi to other lamps or to additional control devices.
[0141] In one or more cases, the lamp 800 may include a localized controller
configured to
transmit a low voltage control signal to the DCB 816. The control signal from
the localized
controller may be factory set and may be specific to the type of LEDs used in
the lamp 800. For
example, the localized controller may send a default control signal to the
lamp 800 to turn on the
white LEDs in the lamp 800 and emit white light. Thus, the lamp 800 can emit
white light when
the LED lamps are installed in the lamp holder 1000 but the control cables
and/or external
controller are not yet installed. In one or more cases, a fire alarm triggered
relay may be
connected in-line with the external lighting control power. When a fire alarm
is triggered, the
external controller is powered off and the lamp 800 defaults to one or more
built-in programs.
For example, the lamp 800 may receive a default signal from the internal
controller to emit white
light.
[0142] As used herein, the term "about" in reference to a numerical value
means plus or minus
10% of the numerical value of the number with which it is being used.
[0143] Various embodiments of the above-disclosed and other features and
functions, or
alternatives thereof, can be combined into many other different systems or
applications. Various
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presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations
or improvements
therein can be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is
also intended to be
encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.
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