System and method for detecting obstacles in the optical system of a lighting fixture

Abstract

The lighting module includes a substrate, an obstacle sensor, a light source disposed on the substrate, and an optical assembly positioned above the light source. The obstacle sensor includes a transceiver for transmitting radiation toward the optical assembly and receiving radiation reflected by the optical assembly. The reflected radiation indicates one or more conditions of the optical assembly. The obstacle sensor may be an infrared (IR) sensor. The lighting module may also include a processor having programming instructions for receiving information corresponding to the radiation reflected by the optical assembly from the obstacle detection sensor, analyzing the received information to determine the presence of at least a threshold level of an obstacle or deformation on the optical assembly, and taking remedial action in response to determining the presence of at least a threshold level of an obstacle or deformation on the optical assembly.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The advent of light-emitting diode (LED)-based lighting fixtures has provided instant on / off capabilities, intelligent control, and adjustability while delivering superior light quality, consistent light output, and improved energy efficiency in sports arenas, stadiums, and other entertainment venues, as well as other commercial and industrial facilities. As a result, users continue to seek improvements in LED lighting devices. The condition or optical quality of a lighting fixture's optics (e.g., lenses, optical covers, reflectors, etc.) can hinder the operation and light output of the lighting fixture.

[0002] For example, the accumulation of dirt and debris, water, frost, or other factors on the optics of a lighting fixture can lead to undesirable changes in the light output of the lighting fixture and / or can cause damage to the lighting fixture itself. For example, the accumulation of dirt and debris on the optics of a lighting fixture can lead to an increase in the lighting fixture's internal temperature that cannot be effectively removed by the heat sink, and damage can occur if the lighting fixture's internal temperature increases above a temperature threshold. Examples of such damage can include yellowing, cracking, deformation, etc. of the optics.

[0003] Maintenance work on lighting fixture equipment can occur before damage occurs (i.e., preventative maintenance) or after damage occurs (i.e., repair and / or replacement maintenance). Repairing a damaged lighting fixture is more costly than performing preventative maintenance, and replacing the entire unit can be even more costly due to the loss of use of the lighting fixture equipment while waiting for the replacement part to arrive. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to detect problems (eg, detecting obstructions in the optics of a lighting fixture) before they cause damage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This document describes a lighting fixture and method of manufacturing the same that is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems and / or other issues.

[0006] In one or more scenarios, a lighting module for a lighting device may include a light source provided on a substrate, an optical assembly positioned above the light source, and an obstruction sensor having a transceiver configured to transmit radiation toward the optical assembly and receive radiation reflected by the optical assembly. The reflected radiation may indicate one or more conditions of the optical assembly. The light source may be a light-emitting diode (LED). The obstruction sensor may also be provided on the substrate. Optionally and / or additionally, the obstruction sensor may be an infrared (IR) sensor, and the transmitted radiation may be IR radiation.

[0007] In some embodiments, the lighting module may include a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having programming instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive information from the obstruction detection sensor corresponding to radiation reflected by the optical assembly, analyze the received information to determine the presence of at least a threshold level of obstruction or deformity on the optical assembly, and take a restorative action in response to determining the presence of at least a threshold level of obstruction or deformity on the optical assembly. The restorative action may provide an alert to a user. The alert may be instructions to repair the obstruction or deformity, instructions to control power supplied to at least one light source, or information regarding the obstruction or deformity. The programming instructions for controlling power supplied to the light source may include instructions to reduce power supplied to the light source while maintaining a constant lighting output by the lighting device. Optionally, the restorative action may control power supplied to the light source. The programming instructions may be designed to cause the processor to analyze the received information to determine the rate of condition of the optical assembly, analyze the rate of change of the condition to determine if the lighting module contains a problem, and provide an alert to the user, the alert containing information about the problem. Accumulation of debris, dirt, liquid, moisture, or foreign material inside or outside the optical assembly are types of obstructions or deformations. Similarly, color changes, shape changes, breakage, or pits may be types of obstructions or deformations. (dimple)The formation of a pit or pits is also a type of obstruction or deformation. The threshold level may be determined based on the type of light source, the material of the optical assembly, the materials of other components of the lighting module, one or more ambient conditions, the type of use of the lighting module, or the efficiency of a heat sink associated with the lighting module. Further, the programming instructions may be designed to cause the processor to analyze the received information to determine the type of obstruction or deformation, the level of the obstruction or deformation, or the location of the obstruction or deformation on the optical assembly.

[0008] Alternatively, in other embodiments, the obstacle sensor may sense a real-time status of the optical assembly of the lighting device. The obstacle sensor may include a transceiver configured to send radiation toward the optical assembly and receive radiation reflected by the optical assembly. The reflected radiation may indicate one or more conditions of the optical assembly.

[0009] In one embodiment, the obstacle sensor may include a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having programming instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive information from the obstacle detection sensor corresponding to radiation reflected by the optical assembly, analyze the received information to determine the presence of an obstacle or deformation on the optical assembly at least at a threshold level, and take a recovery action in response to determining the presence of an obstacle or deformation on the optical assembly at least at a threshold level. The recovery action may provide an alert to a user. The alert may be instructions to repair the obstacle or deformation, instructions to control power supplied to the lighting device, or information regarding the obstacle or deformation. The programming instructions for controlling the power supplied to the lighting device may include instructions to reduce the power supplied to the lighting device while maintaining a constant lighting output by the lighting device. Optionally, the recovery action may control the power supplied to the lighting device. The programming instructions may be designed to cause the processor to analyze the received information to determine a rate of change in the condition of the optical assembly, analyze the rate of change in the condition to determine whether the lighting device includes a problem, and provide an alert to a user, the alert including information regarding the problem. Accumulation of debris, dirt, liquid, moisture, or foreign matter inside or outside the optical assembly is a type of obstruction or deformation. Similarly, color changes, shape changes, breaks, or pit formations are also types of obstructions or deformations. The threshold level may be determined based on the type of lighting device, the use of the lighting device, the material of the optical assembly, the material of other components of the lighting device, one or more ambient conditions, or the efficiency of a heat sink associated with the lighting device. Further, the programming instructions may be designed to cause the processor to analyze the received information to determine the type of obstruction or deformation, the level of the obstruction or deformation, or the location of the obstruction or deformation on the optical assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary lighting device, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary lighting module, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting module of FIG. 2 taken along cut line 3-3. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for controlling power supplied to a lighting module based on the detection of an obstruction, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an example of internal hardware that may be used to contain or implement various processes and systems as described in this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 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 in this document have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term "including" means "including, but not limited to."

[0012] As used in this document, terms such as "top" and "bottom," "upper" and "lower," or "front" and "rear" are not intended to have absolute orientations but instead to describe the relative positions of various components with respect to one another. For example, when a light fixture is oriented in a first direction, a first component may be the "upper" component and a second component may be the "lower" component. The relative orientations of the components may be reversed, or the components may be on the same plane when the orientation of the light fixture containing the components is changed. The claims are intended to encompass all orientations of devices containing such components.

[0013] In this document, the terms "lighting device," "light fixture," "luminaire," and "illumination device" are used interchangeably to refer to a device that includes a source of optical radiation. The optical radiation source may include, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), a light bulb, an ultraviolet or infrared source, or other optical radiation source. In embodiments disclosed herein, the optical radiation emitted by the lighting device includes visible light. The lighting device also includes a housing, one or more electrical components for conducting power from a power source to the optical radiation source of the device, and optional control circuitry.

[0014] In this document, the terms "controller" and "controller device" refer to an electronic device or system of devices that includes a processor and is configured to instruct or manage the operation of one or more other devices. A controller typically includes a processing device and also includes or has access to a memory device that contains programming instructions that are configured to cause the controller's processor to manage the operation of a connected device or devices.

[0015] In this document, the terms "memory" and "memory device" each refer to a non-transitory device in which computer-readable data, programming instructions, or both are stored. Except where otherwise specified, the terms "memory" and "memory device" are intended to include embodiments of a single device, embodiments in which multiple memory devices together or collectively store a set of data or instructions, as well as one or more individual sectors within such a device.

[0016] As used in this document, the terms "processor," "processing device," and "processing circuitry" refer to hardware components of an electronic device (such as a controller) that are configured to execute programming instructions. Except where otherwise noted, the singular term "processor" or "processing device" is intended to include both embodiments of a single processing device and embodiments in which multiple processing devices jointly or collectively perform processing.

[0017] An "electronic device" refers to an electronic device having a processor, a memory device, and a communications interface for communicating with proximate and / or local devices. The memory contains or receives programming instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to perform one or more operations in accordance with the programming instructions. Examples of electronic devices include personal computers, servers, mainframes, virtual machines, containers, gaming systems, televisions, and portable electronic devices such as smartphones, wearable virtual reality devices, Internet-connected wearables such as smart watches and smart eyewear, personal digital assistants, tablet computers, laptop computers, and media players. Electronic devices may also include home appliances and other devices capable of communicating in an Internet-of-things arrangement, such as smart thermostats, home controller devices, voice-activated digital home assistants, connected light bulbs, and other devices. In a client-server configuration, the client device and the server are electronic devices, and the server contains instructions and / or data that the client device accesses via one or more communications links within one or more communications networks. In a virtual machine configuration, the server may be an electronic device, and each virtual machine or container may also be considered an electronic device. In the following description, a client device, a server device, a virtual machine, or a container may be referred to simply as a "device" for brevity. Additional elements that may be included in an electronic device are described below in connection with FIG. 5.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary lighting device 100 configured to detect obstructions in one or more components. As shown in FIG. 1, lighting device 100 includes a housing 102 that houses various components of a light fixture. Housing 102 includes an opening that contains optical radiation sources, such as any number of lighting modules 110 including LEDs. Any number of lighting modules 110, such as one, two, three, four, five, or more, sufficient to provide a high-brightness LED device, may be positioned within the opening in any configuration. In various embodiments, the lighting device may include multiple types of lighting modules. For example, the lighting device may include a first type of lighting module having LEDs configured to selectively emit white light of various color temperatures, along with a second type of lighting module having LEDs configured to selectively emit light of various colors. Lighting module 110 may include any optical arrangement (interchangeably, “optics” or “optical assembly”) including one or more optical elements, as described in more detail below.

[0019] The device housing 102 may also include an optional heat sink 104 for dissipating heat generated by the LEDs of the lighting module 110. The heat sink 104 may be formed from aluminum and / or other metals, plastic, or other materials, and may include any number of external fins to increase the surface area in contact with the surrounding cooling medium (typically air). In this manner, heat from the LEDs may be drawn away from the lighting module 110 and dissipated through the fins of the heat sink 104.

[0020] While the lighting module 110 is positioned on one side of the housing 102, the opposing side of the housing may include or be connected to a power source (not shown here). The power source may include circuitry, a solar panel, or a battery to receive power from external and / or other internal sources. The external housing of the power source may also include fins to help dissipate heat from the power source. Power wiring may be positioned within the housing 102 to conduct power from the power source to the LEDs.

[0021] The housing 102 may also hold electrical components such as circuitry and wiring and a fixture controller for providing power and / or control signals to the lighting module 110. The fixture controller may be an external or integrated device that includes various components of a lighting device's control circuitry (such as a memory and processor with programming instructions, an application specific integrated circuit or system-on-chip, a communications interface, etc.) configured to selectively control which LEDs in the lighting module 110 should receive power and to vary the power provided to the LEDs by methods such as pulse width modulation (PWM). Optionally, the housing 102 may be attached to a support structure, such as a base or mounting yoke, optionally by one or more connectors.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary lighting module 110 according to one embodiment, and FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lighting module 110 along cut line 3-3 in FIG.

[0023] 2 and 3, the lighting device 100 shown in FIG. 1 may have, for example, eight lighting modules 110. Each lighting module 110 may include a substrate 112 and one or more LEDs 113 positioned on the substrate 112. In some embodiments, the substrate 112 may be a support structure configured to hold the LEDs 113 in place. For example, the substrate 112 may be made of any supporting material (such as fiberglass, ceramic, silicon, or aluminum), and conductive elements (such as traces, bars, or wires) may be disposed on or within it to conduct power, control signals, etc. to the LEDs 113. The conductive elements may be copper, silver, or other conductive materials and may be applied as conductive inks, wires, traces, or other materials to provide conductive paths. Optionally, the substrate 112 may include a portion that is a circuit board (not shown here). A controller (e.g., a fixture controller) and / or driver circuitry on the circuit board may provide current, control signals, etc. to the LEDs 113 via one or more conductive elements on the substrate 112, such as conductive lines, traces, bars, or wires positioned on the substrate 112. In some embodiments, various conductors, electronic devices (e.g., sensors), etc. may also be provided on the substrate 112. For example, a set of module-level conductors may be connected to a power supply and ground for the lighting module. Each module-level conductor may be connected to one of the conductive elements on the substrate 112.

[0024] The LEDs 113 may be arranged in one or more rows, matrices, concentric circles, or other arrangements, with corresponding components spaced apart and / or held in place by supports. For example, the lighting module 110 shown in FIG. 2 may have 12 LEDs 113 positioned on the substrate 112 in two concentric circles. Alternatively, the LEDs 113 in each lighting module 110 may be positioned in a curved row, such that when all lighting modules 110 are positioned within the aperture, the LED structure (i.e., the lighting device 100 as a whole) has concentric circles of LEDs 113.

[0025] The lighting module 110 may also include an optical assembly 111 configured to control one or more optical characteristics (e.g., beam angle, direction, stray light, color fringing, etc.) of the LEDs 113 and the light emitted by the lighting module 110. In some embodiments, the optical assembly 111 may also protect the LEDs 113 of the lighting module 110 from environmental elements such as moisture, rain, dirt, excessive sunlight, etc. The optical assembly 111 may include one or more optical elements. Examples of such optical elements may include, but are not limited to, lenses, refractors, reflectors, lens covers, frosted beam optics, etc. The optical elements of the optical assembly 111 may be made from materials such as, but not limited to, plastic, resin, silicone, optical silicone, metal, metallized plastic, acrylic, etc. The optical assembly 111 may also have many shapes, such as, for example, round, square, rectangular, diamond, etc.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , the LEDs 113 may be located beneath an optical assembly 111 that includes a collimating lens 111(a). Optionally, a transparent optical cover 111(b) may be disposed over the collimating lens 111(a) to seal and protect the lens and LEDs from environmental elements. The optical assembly 111 shown in FIG. 3 is provided as an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that any other optical element or combination thereof may be included in the optical lens assembly 111 of the lighting module 110 without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. For example, the optical assembly 111 of FIG. 3 may include a combination of reflectors and refractors configured to provide collimation or other characteristics of the light received from the LEDs 113.

[0027] The lighting modules 110 may include identical optical assemblies 111. Alternatively, at least one of the optical assemblies 111 may be different.

[0028] Each lighting module 110 may also include an obstacle sensor 115 for monitoring a condition or characteristic of the optical assembly 111 based on a radiation pattern reflected by the optical assembly 111. For example, the obstacle detection sensor 115 may be configured to emit and capture reflected radiation (e.g., infrared (IR) light or near-infrared light) and compare the radiation reflected from the optical assembly 111 with known patterns and sequences to monitor and / or determine the condition or characteristic of the optical assembly 111 in real time, as described below. Such a condition or characteristic of the optical assembly 111 may indicate the presence of an obstacle and / or deformation in the optical assembly 111. In an exemplary embodiment, the obstacle sensor 115 may analyze the radiation reflected by the optical assembly 111 to detect an obstacle due to the presence of an element or object (e.g., dirt, debris, water, fog, bird droppings, frost, or other objects) and / or the formation of deformations (e.g., cracks, pits, shape changes) on the optical assembly 111.

[0029] As discussed above, monitoring the condition or characteristics of, or changes in, the optical assembly 111 is important for maintaining the desired light output from each lighting module 110 and the overall health of the lighting device 110. The condition or changes in the optical assembly 111 may be monitored by analyzing the radiation reflected from the optical assembly 111 and comparing it to known patterns and sequences. Specifically, obstructions and / or deformations on the interior and / or exterior surfaces of the optical assembly 111 may cause changes in the known pattern or sequence of reflected radiation obtained from an optical assembly without the obstruction and / or may provide a pattern or sequence that corresponds to the type of obstruction. Examples of obstructions or deformations on the interior surface of the optical assembly 111 may include, but are not limited to, condensation due to moist air near the lighting module 110, accumulation of dust particles, discoloration of optical elements (e.g., due to overheating), warping, etc. Examples of obstructions or deformations on the exterior surface of the optical assembly 111 may include, but are not limited to, accumulation of dust, dirt, or grime, application of paint or stickers due to vandalism, warping due to overheating, discoloration of the optical elements (i.e., yellowing of polycarbonate materials), cracks, pit formation due to accidental impacts from sporting equipment, etc. As discussed above, the presence of obstructions and / or deformations on the optical assembly 111 can lead to changes in the output light distribution from the lighting module 110 and / or excessive heating within the lighting module 110, thus potentially causing damage to one or more components of the lighting module 110 (e.g., LEDs 113 and circuitry on substrate 112).

[0030] In certain embodiments, the reflected radiation pattern may provide information about the condition or characteristics of the optical assembly 111, such as the presence of obstructions and / or deformations on the optical assembly 111, the type of obstruction and / or deformation (dirt, water, warping, etc.), the extent of the obstruction and / or deformation (e.g., amount of dirt, water, extent of warping, amount of discoloration, size of cracks, etc.), the location of the obstruction and / or deformation, etc. For example, the obstruction sensor 115 may compare the received reflected radiation pattern to known patterns corresponding to the type of obstruction and / or deformation, the extent of the obstruction and / or deformation, the location of the obstruction and / or deformation, etc.

[0031] The obstacle sensor 115 may include a transceiver assembly (not shown) and have a line-of-sight to at least one optical element of the optical assembly 111 for transmitting radiation (e.g., IR radiation) to the optical assembly 111 and receiving reflected radiation. The obstacle sensor 115 may also include a processor (not shown) configured to analyze the reflected radiation pattern to provide information regarding the status or characteristics of the optical assembly 111. Alternatively and / or additionally, the processor may not be included in the obstacle sensor 115, and an external processor (e.g., a processor of the lighting device 100) may receive data from the obstacle sensor 115 via a communications link for analysis. The obstacle sensor 115 may also be connected (e.g., via traces or conductors) to a power source and / or control circuit(s) of the lighting module 110 to provide power and / or data communication to the obstacle sensor 115. An exemplary obstacle sensor 115 may include an IR sensor.

[0032] In one embodiment, the obstacle sensor 115 may be provided on the substrate 112 in a position that allows radiation emitted by the obstacle sensor to be at least partially reflected by the optical elements of the optical assembly 111 and the reflected radiation to be received by the obstacle sensor 115 (i.e., within the line of sight of the optical elements). The position of the obstacle sensor 115 on the substrate 112 may be determined based on the field of view of the obstacle sensor 115 and / or the distance to the optical assembly 111 to be monitored and the optical assembly to be monitored by the obstacle sensor. For example, the obstacle sensor 115 may be positioned centrally on the substrate 112 and / or may be positioned at a distance from the center so as to be able to monitor the status of the portion of the optical assembly 111 that is within the “field of view” of the obstacle sensor 115, as shown in FIG. 2. The position shown in FIG. 2 is provided by way of example only and may be modified based on, but not limited to, the field of view of the obstacle sensor 115, the placement of one or more components within the lighting module 110 that may obstruct the field of view, etc. In particular, placement of the obstacle sensor 115 at other locations within the lighting module 110 is within the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the obstacle sensor 115 is configured to have dimensions (e.g., about 1-5 mm) that allow for placement of the obstacle sensor 115 on the substrate 112 of the lighting module 110. 2 and negligible thickness). In some embodiments, the field of view of the obstacle sensor may be approximately circular, and the size of the obstacle sensor 115 may be such that it can be considered a point source / detector. The diameter of the circular field of view may increase with distance from the source to define a cone whose apex is at the center of the obstacle sensor 115. The condition monitored by the obstacle sensor may correspond to an average of the conditions of all objects within the field of view of the obstacle sensor 115. Exemplary conical fields of view for the obstacle sensors 115 of the present disclosure may be between about 10° and about 90°, between about 15° and about 75°, between about 25° and about 65°, or between about 35° and about 65°.

[0033] Although this disclosure describes the obstacle sensor 115 as being located on the substrate 112 of the lighting module 110, this disclosure is not so limited. For example, the obstacle sensor 115 may be located on a different support structure other than the substrate 112 to monitor the status of the optical assembly 111.

[0034] In some embodiments, a lighting module 110 may include one or more obstacle sensors 115. Optionally, a lighting module 110 may not include an obstacle sensor 115, and an obstacle sensor 115 located outside the lighting module 110 (e.g., included in another lighting module and / or in an area shared by the lighting modules of the lighting device 100) may be configured to monitor a property or status of the optical assembly 111 of that lighting module 110. Similarly, the obstacle sensors 115 may be evenly spaced or randomly positioned among the lighting modules 110 of the lighting device 100.

[0035] Some minor obstructions can lead to more significant obstructions, such as, for example, minor dust accumulation causing an increase in the internal temperature (i.e., overheating) of the lighting module 110, which in turn causes further warping of the optical assembly 111, resulting in further overheating and causing even greater damage by cracking the optical assembly 111. While minor obstructions such as dust, dirt, and stains can be easily wiped away during normal preventative maintenance, more significant obstructions such as yellowing, warping, and cracks require costly replacement of the optical assembly 111 or the complete lighting module 110. As such, the obstruction sensor 115 of the present disclosure may be used for continuous monitoring of the optical assembly 111 of the lighting module 110 and may be configured to cause a processor to provide alerts, prompts, take automatic recovery actions (e.g., corrective or preventative maintenance actions), and / or provide instructions to prevent and / or mitigate the severity of damage to the lighting module 110. For example, if it is determined that the amount of dirt / debris accumulation (i.e., obstructions or deformations) exceeds a threshold (as determined by analyzing the reflection pattern), a prompt or alert may be provided to the user to clean and / or repair the optical assembly 111. Alternatively and / or additionally, the power supplied to the LEDs may be controlled (e.g., switched off or reduced) to prevent further damage to the lighting module 110 until the dirt and debris (i.e., obstructions and / or deformations) are removed from or repaired by the optical assembly 111. In one or more embodiments, the threshold may be determined based on one or more of the type of LED, the material of the optical elements of the optical assembly, the material of other components of the lighting module, the ambient conditions (e.g., external temperature, pressure, humidity, internal temperature, etc.), the type of use of the lighting device (e.g., constant use, occasional use, etc.), the efficiency of the heat sink, etc.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the obstacle sensor 115 may be, for example, an active infrared (IR) sensor that transmits and receives IR radiation over a 180° hemisphere substantially perpendicular to the substrate 112. The IR obstacle sensor 115 may use signal processing circuitry included in the IR obstacle sensor 115 to convert the reflected radiation into a proportional signal (e.g., current or voltage) indicative of one or more characteristics of the optical assembly 111 (and / or may transmit the data to an external processing device for analysis). When an obstacle or deformation occurs, the reflected IR beam collected by the IR obstacle sensor 115 changes pattern compared to when there is no obstacle or deformation in the optical assembly 111.

[0037] As described above, data collected by the obstacle sensor 115 may be processed by a processor included in the obstacle sensor 115 and / or transmitted to an external processor (e.g., a module-level controller and / or a fixture controller of the lighting module 110) for analysis. Optionally, the obstacle sensor 115 may at least partially process the collected data and transmit such processed data to an external processor for further analysis and / or appropriate action. The controller and the obstacle sensor 115 may communicate with each other using any suitable communication protocol, such as, but not limited to, I2C. The controller may control the current supplied to the LEDs 113 of the lighting module 110 based on the received data. For example, the controller may throttle the power / current supplied to one or more LEDs 113 of the lighting module 110 if the optical assembly 111 is determined to have an obstacle level and / or deformation greater than a threshold. The controller may throttle back the power supplied to one or more LEDs 113 of the lighting module 110, for example, by reducing or turning off the current supplied to the LEDs 113, by reducing pulse-width modulation (PWM), or a combination thereof. In PWM, an oscillating output from the controller repeatedly turns the LEDs 113 on and off based on applying a pulsed voltage. Each pulse is a constant voltage level, and the controller varies the width of each pulse and / or the space between each pulse. When the pulse is active, the LED 113 may be turned on, and when the pulse is inactive, the LED 113 may be turned off. If the duty cycle of the “on” state is 50%, the LED 113 may be on for 50% of the full cycle of the control pulse. The controller may dim the LED 113 by reducing the duty cycle, effectively lengthening the period between each “on” pulse so that the LED is off more than it is on. Alternatively, the controller may reduce the brightness of the LED 113 by decreasing the duty cycle.

[0038] In some embodiments, the controller may monitor the received data to determine the rate of change in the condition of the optical assembly 111 (i.e., the rate of increase in obstruction and / or deformation). A rate of increase in obstruction and / or deformation of the optical assembly 111 that exceeds a threshold may indicate other issues with the lighting module 110 (e.g., a leaking seal in the lighting device or module, excessive debris accumulation, a change in orientation, breakage or other type of damage, etc.). Based on such determination, the controller may generate and output an alert for the user that includes information regarding the identified problem.

[0039] 4 shows an exemplary flowchart according to various embodiments illustrating and describing a method 400 for monitoring the clarity of an optical assembly 111 on an illumination module 110 and controlling the power supplied to one or more LEDs 113 of the illumination module 110. Method 400 is described for convenience and without any intent to limit the disclosure as including a series and / or number of steps, but it should be understood that the process need not be performed as a series of steps and / or the steps need not be performed in the order shown and described with respect to FIG. 4; the process may be integrated and / or one or more steps may be performed together, simultaneously, or the steps may be performed in the disclosed order or in an alternating order.

[0040] At 402, the controller may receive data regarding the real-time condition of the optical assembly from one or more obstruction sensors included in the lighting module. The controller may analyze the received data to determine whether a threshold level of obstruction and / or deformation is present in the optical assembly (404). The controller may determine the threshold by accessing a rule set that includes thresholds for various parameters such as (as described above) but not limited to) ambient conditions, manufacturing materials, type of LED, LED use, heat sink efficiency, and types of damage to be prevented.

[0041] If a threshold level of obstruction and / or deformation is determined to exist in the optical assembly, the controller may execute a recovery action (406) (to prevent damage to the lighting device and / or cause repair or cleaning of the optical assembly). For example, the controller may provide an alert to the user (e.g., via a mobile device or display) that includes information about the obstruction and / or deformation (e.g., type of obstruction or deformation, level of obstruction or deformation, location of the obstruction or deformation, etc.). Optionally, the controller may provide instructions to the user corresponding to potential corrective actions (e.g., cleaning the optical assembly, replacing the optical assembly, powering off, etc.). Alternatively and / or additionally, the controller may initiate such corrective actions itself. For example, the controller may selectively throttle power supplied to one or more LEDs of the lighting module (406). For example, the controller may throttle power supplied to one or more LEDs of the lighting module by reducing the current supplied to the LEDs or by reducing PWM. In some embodiments, the controller may reduce the power supplied to one or more LEDs while maintaining the desired output of the lighting module (and / or lighting device) at a substantially constant level, for example, by turning on other LEDs and / or other lighting modules, increasing power to other LEDs, or increasing the PWM of other LEDs or lighting modules of the lighting device.

[0042] In this manner, controlling the power supplied to the multiple light sources in dependence on the detection of an obstruction in the lighting module can extend the useful life of the lighting module, for example, by limiting the potential for heat-related damage by preventing the temperature from rising above a threshold temperature sufficient to damage the internal components of the lighting module.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of hardware that may be included in any of the electronic devices described above, such as lighting device 100, obstacle sensor 115, or a device controller for lighting device 100. Bus 500 serves as an information highway interconnecting the other illustrated components of the hardware. The bus may be a physical connection between elements of the system, or it may be a wired or wireless communication system through which various elements of the system share data. Processor 505 is a processing device of the system that performs the calculations and logical operations necessary to execute programs. Processor 505, alone or in combination with one or more other components disclosed in FIG. 5, is an example of a processing device, computing device, or processor, as those terms are used in this document. Processing device 505 may be a physical processing device, a virtual device contained within another processing device, or a container contained within a processing device. When the electronic device is lighting device 100, processor 505 may be a component of a fixture controller, which also includes an optical radiation source (e.g., at least one LED) and a power source, as described above.

[0044] The memory device 510 is a hardware element or segment of a hardware element in which programming instructions, data, or both may be stored. The optional display interface 530 may allow information to be displayed on a display 535 in audio, visual, graphic, or alphanumeric form. Communication with external devices, such as a printing device, may occur using various communication interfaces 540, such as a communication port, an antenna, or a near-field or short-range transceiver. The communication interface 540 may be communicatively connected to a communication network, such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0045] The hardware may also include a user input interface 545 that allows for receiving data from input devices such as a keyboard or keypad 550 or other input devices 555, such as a mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, remote control, pointing device, video input device, and / or microphone. Data may also be received from an image capture device 520, such as a digital camera or video camera. A position sensor 560 and / or a motion sensor 570 may be included to detect the position and movement of the device. Examples of a motion sensor 570 include a gyroscope or accelerometer. An example of a position sensor 560 is a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor device that receives position data from an external GPS network.

[0046] The above-described features and functions, and alternatives, may be combined into many other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unforeseen alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements may occur to those skilled in the art, each of which is intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. A lighting module for a lighting device, the lighting module comprising: at least one light source disposed on the substrate; an optical assembly positioned to overlie the at least one light source; a sensor including a transceiver configured to transmit radiation toward the optical assembly and receive radiation reflected by the optical assembly, the reflected radiation indicating one or more conditions of the optical assembly; and a processor; When executed by the processor, the processor: receiving information from the sensor corresponding to radiation reflected by the optical assembly; analyzing the received information to determine the presence of at least a threshold level of obstruction or deformation on the optical assembly; and taking a remedial action in response to determining the presence of at least a threshold level of obstruction or deformation on the optical assembly; a non-transitory computer readable medium containing programming instructions to cause the a lighting module including:

2. 10. The lighting module of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an infrared (IR) sensor and the transmitted radiation is IR radiation.

3. The recovery action includes providing an alert to a user, the alert comprising: instructions for repairing said obstruction or said deformation; instructions for controlling the power supplied to the at least one light source; or information about the obstacle or the deformation; The lighting module of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

4. 4. The lighting module of claim 3, wherein the programming instructions for controlling power supplied to the at least one light source include instructions for reducing power supplied to the at least one light source while maintaining a constant light output by the lighting device.

5. The lighting module of claim 1 , wherein the recovery action includes increasing power to another light source.

6. The lighting module may include: analyzing the received information to determine the rate of increase in obstruction and / or deformation of the optical assembly; Analyzing the rate of increase of the obstruction and / or deformation to determine whether the lighting module is problematic; and providing an alert to a user, the alert including information regarding the problem; 10. The lighting module of claim 1, comprising programming instructions configured to:

7. 10. The lighting module of claim 1, wherein the obstruction or deformation comprises at least one of debris accumulation, dirt accumulation, water accumulation, moisture accumulation, color change, shape change, breakage, foreign object accumulation, or dent formation inside or outside the optical assembly.

8. 10. The lighting module of claim 1, wherein the lighting module includes programming instructions that cause the processor to analyze the received information and determine, for the obstruction or the deformation, at least one of a type of obstruction or deformation, a level of obstruction or deformation, or a location of the obstruction or deformation on the optical assembly.

9. The lighting module of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is a light emitting diode.

10. The lighting module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is provided on the substrate.

11. The lighting module of claim 1, wherein the threshold level is determined based on at least one of the type of the at least one light source, the material of the optical assembly, the material of other components of the lighting module, one or more ambient conditions, the type of use of the lighting module, or the efficiency of a heat sink associated with the lighting module.

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