Wireless network for electric lighting systems

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electric lighting system. The electric lighting system includes a first electric lighting device, wherein the first electric lighting device includes a first light source, a first power source, and a first controller. The electric lighting system also includes a second electric lighting device, wherein the second electric lighting device includes a second light source, a second power source, and a second controller. The first controller and the second controller are configured to transmit and receive wireless data. Furthermore, the first electric lighting device and the second electric lighting device are portable.

Description

WIRELESS NETWORK FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING SYSTEMSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to lighting instrumentality, and more particularly, to electric lighting systems and the networks used to connect electric lighting systems.BACKGROUND

[0002] A candle or other flame-based light source may create a fire risk and otherwise cause harm or annoyance through the creation of smoke, heat, and residue. A portable electric light may provide light without these detrimental effects. Portable and rechargeable electric lights may provide additional benefits to an operator by being configurable and customizable. However, it can be time consuming and, thus, costly for the operator of a group of portable electric lights to configure the lights. For example, the transmitter used to control the electric light often needs to be within a short distance of the electric light to program the light, which may require the operator to walk around with the transmitter to each individual electric light and individually program the electric light. In commercial settings, turning on and turning off the electric lights in a facility can require significant staff time for desired operation, which can add to cost of operation of the electric lights. Accordingly, a system is desired to easily control and program one or more portable electric lights.SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electric lighting system. The electric lighting system includes a first electric lighting device, wherein the first electric lighting device includes a first light source, a first power source, and a first controller. The electric lighting system also includes a secondelectric lighting device, wherein the second electric lighting device includes a second light source, a second power source, and a second controller. The first controller and the second controller are configured to transmit and receive wireless data. Furthermore, the first electric lighting device and the second electric lighting device are portable.

[0004] 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 disclosed embodiments.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates an electric lighting system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the electric lighting system 100 deployed in a restaurant according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the electric lighting system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the electric lighting system 100 in a product display space according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the electric lighting system 100 in a hotel environment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The following disclosure provides many different exemplary embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific simplified examples of components and arrangements aredescribed below to explain the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0012] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art and in the specific context where each term is used. The use of examples in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[0013] Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0014] Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0015] In this document, the term “coupled” may also be termed as “electrically coupled”, and the term “connected” may be termed as “electrically connected”. “Coupled” and “connected” may also be used to indicate that two or more elements cooperate or interact with each other.

[0016] Examples of the present disclosure relate to electric lights, such as portable electric lights. Although preferred examples of the disclosed technology are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other examples are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosed technology is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed technology is capable of other examples and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the preferred examples, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0017] Reference is made to Fig. 1, which illustrates an electric lighting system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 , the electric lighting system 100 can comprise one or more electric lighting devices, such as electric lighting device 105. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electric lighting device 105 can include an upper housing 125 and a lower housing 130. In some embodiments, the upper housing 125 is configured to fit inside the lower housing 130, as shown in Fig. 1. In other embodiments, the electric lighting device 105 can provide a single housing. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the upper housing 125 is provided in the shape of a cylinder. Those of skill in the art willappreciate that the upper housing 125 can be other suitable and decorative shapes, such as a rectangle, trapezoid, circle, polygon, or a freeform shape. Furthermore, as shown in embodiment in Fig. 1, the upper housing 125 of the electric lighting system 105 can include a light source 110. The light source 110, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, can emit light thereby causing the electric lighting system 100 to be illuminated and the upper housing 125 can be configured to disperse light in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The light source 110 can be comprised of one or more LED devices in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the light source 110 can be comprised of one or more incandescent lights. In some embodiments, the light source 110 may be a single color (e.g., white, warm white, or yellow). In other embodiments, the light source 110 may be comprised of multiple LED Devices capable of emitting red, green, or blue light or a mix of those colors. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the light source 110 may provide a pattern of light, display or flickering effect.

[0018] As shown in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, the electric lighting device 105 can comprise a lower housing 130 configured to couple with the upper housing 125. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lower housing 130 of electric lighting device 105 can comprise a controller 115 and a power source 120. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller 115 is configured in wired or wireless communication with the light source 110 and comprises a processor and memory for storage. The controller 115 can be configured to control the operation of the light source 110, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the light source 110 can be configured in wired or wireless communication with the power source 120. The power source 120 can provide the necessary power to illuminate the light source 110 at a desired level, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the power source 120 is configured to supply Direct Current (“DC”) at 5 Volts to the light source 110. In accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure, the power source 120 may comprise one or more batteries for storing charge and may be configured to receive power to recharge those batteries. Accordingly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the power source 120 can be connected to a power supply or placed in communication with a charger in order to charge or recharge the batteries included in the power source 120. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the power source 120 can be decoupled from the electric lighting device 105 and separately connected to a recharging power supply or charge and can be wirelessly connected to the recharging device. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the power source 120 can later be recoupled to the electric lighting device 105 once the power source 120 has been recharged to a desired level.

[0019] The electric lighting device 105, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, may include a plurality of light sources 110. The electric light sources 110 may be swappable within the electric lighting device 105 (e.g., each of the light sources 110 may be assembled with the electric lighting device 105 or disassembled with the electric lighting device 105 and replaced by another light source 110). The one or more power sources 120 within the electric light device electric lighting device 105 may be individually charged by a charger. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, one power source 120 may be charged by the charger, while another power source 120 is coupled to electric lighting device 105 to power the electric lighting device 105. Though not shown, it is contemplated that in any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the power source 120 and the light source 110 may be integrated with electric lighting device 105, such that they are not readily detachable.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the electric lighting system 100 deployed in a restaurant according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 2, the electric lighting system 100 can include multiple electric lighting devices, such as electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E. The electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E ofelectric lighting system 100 are depicted in Fig. 2 as being configured on dining tables 110A, HOB, HOC, HOD, and 110E. For example, the configuration shown in Fig. 2 could be the configuration of a dining room in a restaurant in which the electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E of electric lighting system 100 have been deployed on each of the dining tables 11 OA, 11 OB, 1 IOC, HOD, and 110E to provide mood and ambience to those dining at each of the tables. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electric lighting system 100 can provide a mesh network in which one or more the electric lighting devices 105 in the electric lighting system 100 communicate with each other using wireless communication. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, some of the electric lighting devices 105 of the electric lighting system 100 can be relied upon to relay messages to other electric lighting devices 105 in the electric lighting system 100. These wireless data messages can include control and operation information to dictate the operation of the light source 110, the controller 115, and the power source 120 of the electric lighting device 105. For example, the wireless data message could instruct the electric lighting device 105 to illuminate with a bright light during lunch hours and illuminated with a low light setting during dinner hours. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the terms mesh network and wireless network are used interchangeably herein.

[0021] In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E of electric lighting system 100 includes a controller 115. The controller 115, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, comprises a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals via a wired or wireless connection. For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transceiver of the controller 115 of electric lighting device 105 A can communicate with the transceiver of the controller 115 of electric lighting device 105B via a wireless communication path. Thereby, in this embodiment, data can be exchangedbetween electric lighting device 105 A and electric lighting device 105B. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that there are a number of wireless communication protocols that could be used by the transceivers of the controllers 115, including Bluetooth ® Low Energy (“BLE”), ZigBee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, SigFox, NB loT, LTE-M, 5G LTE, 4G LTE, 3G LTE, and others. For example, in some embodiments, controller 115 can be implemented to include a BLE chip such that the controller 115 and its transceiver can operate in accordance with the BLE wireless protocol, including sending and receiving wireless data in accordance with the BLE wireless protocol. Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that each of these identified wireless protocols offer certain advantages, such as low power transmission and transmission distance, and also offer disadvantages, such as limited transmission distance. For example, a skilled artisan can implement various embodiments of the controller 115 according to the design parameters for a particular implementation of the electric lighting system 100. For example, if only on a short transmission of less than 5 meters is required for the electric lighting system 100, the electric lighting system 100 could be implemented with Bluetooth ® Low Energy wireless protocol. However, another embodiment requiring transmission of greater than 10 meters could be implemented with the WiFi HaLow wireless protocol. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, wireless power can also be transmitted by the electric lighting devices 105 of the electric lighting system 100. Accordingly, in these embodiments, the power sources 120 of the electric lighting devices 105 can receive power via wireless power transmissions. In some embodiments, the power sources 120 of the electric lighting devices 105 could be configured to store energy received via wireless power transmission for later use by the electric lighting device 105.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E are portable and can easily be configured on any surface or location within the diningtable area illustrated in Fig. 2. The relative proximity of the electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E allows the wireless communication between proximate electric lighting devices. For example, in one embodiment, the distance between dining table 11 OE and dining table 11 OA may be too far for wireless communication between electric lighting device 105 A and electric lighting device 105E. However, in this embodiment, electric lighting device 105C can act as a relay and the controller 115 of electric lighting device 105C can relay data received from electric lighting device 105E to electric lighting device 105 A via the transceiver of controller 115 of electric lighting device 105D. Similarly, in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2, the distance between electric lighting device 105E and electric lighting device 105B may be too far for wireless communication between these devices. However, in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2, electric lighting device 105D can act as a relay and the controller 115 of electric lighting device 105D can relay data received from electric lighting device 105E to electric lighting device 105B via the transceiver of controller 115 of electric lighting device 105D.

[0023] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that one benefit of some embodiments the electric lighting system 100 is that the electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E can be placed in a variety of configurable locations, yet the wireless network of communication between the devices can maintained. For example, electric lighting device 105B could be removed from the dining room shown in Fig. 2 and the remaining electric lighting devices 105 A, 105C, 105D, and 105E could still wirelessly communicate data. In some examples, as long as each electric lighting device 105 of the electric lighting system 100 is sufficiently proximate to another electric lighting device 105 to permit wireless communication in accordance with parameters of the wireless data communication protocol being used. For example, in one embodiment the electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E are deployed in a relatively small restaurant dining room and controllers 115 of electric lightingdevices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E of the electric lighting system 100 communicate using Bluetooth ® Low Energy, which typically has a range of up to around 100 meters. Accordingly, as long as each electric lighting device 105 of the electric lighting system 100 is within 100 meters of another electric lighting device 105 in the relatively small restaurant dining room, or perhaps 20 to 30 meters if obstacles or noise are present, wireless communication can be conducted between the devices. In another embodiment, the controllers 115 of electric lighting devices 105A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E of the electric lighting system 100 communicate using Wi-Fi, which typically has a range of up to around 1,000 meters. Accordingly, as long as each electric lighting device 105 of the electric lighting system 100 is within 1,000 meters of another electric lighting device 105, or perhaps 200 to 300 meters if obstacles or noise are present, wireless communication can be conducted between the devices.

[0024] In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the controllers of the electric lighting device can control the light source and power source in accordance with a program selected by a user of the electric lighting system 100. For example, the user could program the electric lighting system 100 to instruct the controllers to have the light sources of the electric lighting devices illuminated during certain times of the day, such as 5PM to 11PM, or on certain days of the week, such as Thursday through Saturday. Additionally, in another example, a user could execute a program to instruct the controllers to display a sequenced or pattern light show using the full array of electric lighting devices in the electric lighting system 100, such as chasing lights, the colors of a flag, or a twinkle effect.

[0025] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the controllers 115 of electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E can operate independently in some embodiments, such that each controller 115 includes a transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving wireless data such that the controller 115 can act as a relay in the wireless network enabled by the electric lighting system100. Alternatively, some controllers 115 in the network enabled by the electric lighting system 100 do not provide full transmission and reception functionality; thus, some controllers 115 of certain electric lighting devices 105 may not be able to forward data to other electric lighting devices 105. In some embodiments, the electric lighting devices 105 of the electric lighting system 100 can communicate with each other without the need for an upstream network, such as a router or hub. In these embodiments, one or more of the controllers 115 of the electric lighting devices 105 can receive commands for the control and operation of the electric lighting device 105 and these commands can be relayed to the other electric lighting devices 105 in the electric lighting system 100. In other embodiments, one of the electric lighting devices 105 in the electric lighting system 100 can be designated as the hub or router, such that the controller 115 in the hub electric lighting device 105 is configured to receive operation commands and communicate them to the other electric lighting devices 105 in the electric lighting system 100.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the electric lighting system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the electric lighting system 100 has been configured for the controllers 115 of the electric lighting devices to communicate using the Bluetooth ® Low Energy wireless protocol, which can be advantageous as devices consume limited power when communicating with the BLE wireless protocol. The electric lighting system 100 embodiment shown in Fig. 3 includes electric lighting devices 305L, 310L, 315L, 320R, 325L, 330L, 335L, 340L, 345F, 350F, 355R, 365L, 360P, and 375L, which include controllers 115 that can communicate with one or more other devices over a wireless communication link implementing the BLE protocol. As shown in the embodiment in Fig. 3, the BLE wireless protocol can support various types of nodes in the mesh network enabled by electric lighting system 100, such as edge nodes, proxy nodes, relay nodes, and low power nodes.

[0027] In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, communication device 370T can provide the transmitter device for the BLE mesh network enabled by an embodiment of electric lighting system 100, and the communication device 370T can be configured to communicate with proxy node 360P. In the embodiment in Fig. 3, the wireless communication path between communication device 370T and proxy node device 360P is depicted with double lines, designating the full duplex transmission path between the communication device 370T and proxy node 360P. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that communication device 370T, can be a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, or other computing device configured to run an application to control the operation of the electric lighting system 100. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the proxy node 360P can be used to allow a mobile phone application or computer application to provide a graphical user interface for the monitoring and controlling the electric lighting system 100, including controlling electric lighting devices 305L, 310L, 315L, 320R, 325L, 330L, 335L, 340L, 345F, 350F, 355R, 365L, 360P, and 375L. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the proxy node 360P can act as the proxy device to interface between the BLE mesh network enabled by electric lighting system 100 and other networks, such as the internet. In some embodiments, the proxy node for the BLE wireless network can be an electric lighting device, and in other embodiments the proxy node is a router, hub, or other computing device and does not function as an electric lighting device. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication device 370T can be a mobile phone configured to execute a mobile application capable of interfacing with the BLE mesh network, such as communicating with a BLE chip configured in the controller of one or more of the electric lighting devices in the electric lighting system 100. For example, the communication device 370T on a mobile phone can transmit a “turn all lights on” message to the electric lighting devices of the electric lighting system 100. Those electric lighting devices receiving the“turn all lights on” message can turn on their light source and, also, the electric lighting device can relay the “turn all lights on” message to proximately located electric lighting devices. Furthermore, the communication device 370T on a mobile phone can transmit a “turn off all lights” message to the electric lighting devices of the electric lighting system 100. Those electric lighting devices receiving the “turn off all lights” message can turn off their light source and, also, the electric lighting device can relay the “turn off all lights” message to proximately located electric lighting devices.

[0028] The electric lighting devices depicted in Fig. 3 including an “R” in the reference numeral, such as electric lighting devices 320R and 355R, are relay nodes in the BLE mesh network enabled by the electric lighting system 100. The electric lighting devices that are relay nodes, such as electric lighting devices 320R and 355R, are enabled to retransmit messages received by other devices in vicinity of the electric lighting device. For example, a control message for the electric lighting system 100 may be wirelessly transmitted by communication device 370T to relay proxy node 360P, which then relays that message to all proximately located electric lighting devices, including relay electric lighting device 355R, which further retransmits the message. In some embodiments, the BLE mesh network enabled by electric lighting system 100 can provide multipath delivery by ensuring that multiple relay nodes exist in the BLE mesh network to relay wireless messages received from proximate nodes.

[0029] The electric lighting devices depicted in Fig. 3 including an “L” in the reference numeral, such as electric lighting devices 305L, 310L, 315L, 330L, 365L, 370L, and 375L, are low power nodes in the BLE mesh network enabled by an embodiment of the electric lighting system 100. The electric lighting devices depicted in Fig. 3 including an “F” in the reference numeral, such as electric lighting device 345F and 350F, are friend nodes in the BLE mesh network enabled by an embodiment of the electric lighting system 100. The friend nodes in the BLE mesh network enabled by an embodiment of the electric lightingsystem 100, such as electric lighting device 345F and 350F, can be configured to constantly listen to messages distributed on the network and collect those messages for later transmission to low power nodes. Therefore, the low power nodes in the BLE mesh network enabled by an embodiment of the electric lighting system 100, can minimize power consumption by spending significant time in sleep mode, where the node radio in the controller 115 of electric lighting device is turned off and, when the low power node electric lighting device wakes up, it can ping proximately located friend node electric lighting devices for incoming messages that may have been missed while in sleep mode. Therefore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown by the dashed wireless transmission lines depicted between the friend nodes, such as electric lighting device 345F and 350F, and the low power nodes, such as electric lighting devices 305L, 310L, 315L, 330L, 365L, 370L, and 375L, wireless transmission can be conducted between these nodes at limited times and thereby conserve the power resources of the low power node electric lighting devices.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the electric lighting system 100 in a product display space according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in embodiment depicted in Fig. 4, the electric lighting system 100 can include a wireless access point 405. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless access point 405 can provide an interconnection between the wireless network enabled by the electric lighting system 100 and a fixed wire network, such as a conventional Tl, cable, satellite, cellular, or other internet connection. In one embodiment, each of controllers 115 of the electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E are positioned about a product display space on product display tables 410A, 410B, 410C, 410D, and 410E, and are configured to communicate with wireless access point 405. For example, control commands can be a sent from a remote computer via wireless access point 405 to the electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E to control the operation of the devices. In some embodiments,each of the electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E communicates directly with wireless access point 405; thus, a remote computer can be configured to individually communicate with each electric lighting device of the electric lighting system 100. Alternatively, only electric lighting device 105D communicates with wireless access point 405, and electric lighting device 105D relays data to the other devices, electric lighting devices 105 A, 105B, 105C, and 105E, in the electric lighting system 100. Accordingly, the electric lighting system 100 can provide a mesh network where some of the electric lighting devices relay wireless data to other electric lighting devices that may be more distant from wireless access point 405 or may not have the necessary communication hardware to transmit and receive information with wireless access point 405.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the electric lighting system 100 in a hotel environment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 5, the electric lighting system 100 can be deployed in various environments in a hotel, such as the hotel main dining room 510, hotel bar 515, and hotel outdoor patio 520. The hotel main dining room 510 can include four dining tables 510A, 510B, 510C, and 510D each configured with an electric lighting device, such as electric lighting devices 550L, 555L, 560L, and 505P, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The hotel outdoor patio 520 can include dining tables 520A and 520B, each configured with an electric lighting device, such as electric lighting device 530R and 535L, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, hotel bar 515 can be include high top table 515A, which is configured with electric lighting device 540R. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, electric lighting device 505P can be configured as a proxy node, which can communicate with the communication device 370T to control and monitor the electric lighting system 100. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a control signal can be sent fromcommunication device 370T to proxy electric lighting device 505P instructing the electric lighting system 100 to turn on all lights. In this embodiment, the proxy electric lighting device 505P can instruct its controller 115 to power up the light source 110 of the proxy node electric lighting device 505 and the proxy node electric lighting device 505 can then wirelessly transmit the “turn on lights” message to the remainder of the electric lighting devices in the electric lighting system 100. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the remainder of the electric lighting devices in the hotel main dining room 510 can be low power nodes, such as electric lighting devices 550L, 555L, and 560L. When activated, the electric lighting devices 550L, 555L, and 560L can receive the “turn on lights” control signal via wireless transmission from proxy electric lighting device 505, and the controller 115 of electric lighting devices 550L, 555L, and 560L can turn on the light source for each device. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electric lighting system 100 provides a relay node electric lighting device 53 OR on the hotel outdoor patio 520, which is configured to receive wireless data messages from proxy electric lighting device 505P. In this embodiment, the relay node electric lighting device 53 OR on the hotel outdoor patio 520 can relay the “turn on lights” control signal to low power node electric lighting device 535L, also located on hotel outdoor patio 520. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electric lighting system 100 provides a relay node electric lighting device 540R in the hotel bar 515, which is configured to receive wireless data messages from proxy node electric lighting device 505P.

[0032] In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electric lighting system 100 can enable individual control of each electric lighting device 105 in the electric lighting system 100. Accordingly, control commands can be sent to individual electric lighting devices. For example, hotel main dining room 510 can be configured with electric lighting device 550L of electric lighting system 100 and electric lighting device 550L can be individually controlled byelectric lighting system 100. For example, when the food is ready for table 510A in the hotel main dining room 510, the electric lighting system 100 can be used to send a wireless command signal to electric lighting device 550L to be illuminated in a unique way, such as with a green light, to indicate that it is the destination table for incoming food service. Furthermore, the customer at table 510A in the hotel main dining room 510 may be able to interact with electric lighting device 550L of electric lighting system 100 to indicated that staff attention is needed, such as changing the color of the light source 110 of electric lighting device 550L to red and sending a message to the control center of electric lighting system 100 to alert the staff.

[0033] In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 5, the electric lighting devices can be configured in different zones within a hotel, including hotel main dining room 510, hotel outdoor patio 520, and hotel bar 515. The electric lighting system 100, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, can be configured to operate the electric lighting devices differently in each zone. For example, it may be desirable to have brightly illuminated electric lighting devices on the hotel outdoor patio 520, such as electric lighting devices 530R and 535L, and simultaneously have dimly lit electric lighting devices in the hotel main dining room 510, such as electric lighting devices 505P 550L, 555L, and 560L. Alternatively, the electric lighting system 100 can be configured to display certain patterns or a sequence of light on the various electric lighting devices of the electric lighting system 100. For example, a patterned light show may be displayed in the hotel bar 515 by the electric lighting devices of an embodiment of electric lighting system 100 while the electric lighting devices in the hotel main dining room 510 just display a dim white solid light.

[0034] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readilyuse the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and / or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An electric lighting system comprising: a first electric lighting device comprising a first light source, a first power source, and a first controller; a second electric lighting device comprising a second light source, a second power source, and a second controller; wherein the first controller and the second controller are configured to transmit and receive wireless data; and wherein the first electric lighting device and the second electric lighting device are portable.

2. The electric lighting system of claim 1, wherein the first controller of the first electric lighting device is configured to wirelessly receive a first operation command from a first mobile phone.

3. The electric lighting system of claim 1, wherein the first controller of the first electric lighting device can wirelessly transmit the first operation command from the first mobile phone to the second controller of the second electric lighting device.

4. The wirelessly powered decorative system of claim 1, wherein the first electric lighting device and the second electric lighting device can illuminate the first light source and the second light source without connection to a wired power source.

5. An electric lighting device comprising: a light source;a power source in communication with the light source; a controller comprising a transceiver and storage, the controller in communication with the light source and the power source; and wherein the transceiver can receive a first wireless message and the controller can process the first wireless message to control the operation of the light source.

6. The electric lighting device of claim 5, wherein the transceiver of the controller of the electric lighting device is configured to wirelessly transmit the first wireless message to a second electric lighting device.

7. The electric lighting system of claim 5, wherein the electric lighting device can operate the light source without a wired connection to a power source.

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