Emergency lighting system and a controller therefor

Abstract

An emergency power system (100) is disclosed. The emergency power system (100) includes a backup power source (11) arranged to supply power to one or more lighting devices (13) during an emergency event, and a controller (12) arranged to adjust the supply power to form a reset signal (14) for the one or more lighting devices (13). The controller (12) may be directly coupled to the back power source (11) to adjust the supply power bases on a preset power pattern (14) or the emergency power system (100) may further include a sensor (15) arranged to determine power consumption of the one or more lighting devices (13) and to provide a signal to the controller (12) to adjust the supply power. The reset signal (14) may form an on-off pulsed power signal (14).

Description

[0001] EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM AND A CONTROLLER THEREFOR

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to systems and devices for emergency power and lighting systems, more particularly, to a control module for controlling startup of smart lighting devices during emergency lighting events.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] When a power failure / outage occurs, there is a need for emergency backup power systems to provide temporary emergency power. Conventional backup power systems may include uninterruptible power supplies (or UPS) to provide emergency power to a load such as an emergency lighting when an input power source, e.g., mains power, fails. In this regard, emergency lighting refers to lighting that is activated upon power failure. An objective of emergency lighting is to allow occupants in a building to leave the building safely upon power failure or in other emergency situations. Within a building, the emergency lighting is usually provided by an emergency lighting device (e.g., LED fixtures) powered by the emergency backup power system or an internal battery. The emergency backup power may come from an emergency battery.

[0006] Smart lighting systems have become popular for commercial and residential applications. Smart lighting systems work by connecting smart lighting devices to an app on a smart device, e.g., through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or ZigBee. This allows a control signal to be used to control (i.e., on, off, dimming, etc.) the connected smart lighting devices through smartphones, tablets, or smart speakers. Such smart lighting devices may include smart light bulbs, smart downlights, smart LED strip lights, smart PIR security lights and smart switches. Such smart lighting devices can be used independently from each other or multiple smart lighting devices can be connected to a smart hub to be grouped, so they work together. For example, group downlights in a room can be controlled so they all turn on and off together.

[0007] As noted above, smart lighting devices are controlled by external control signals, not by simply turning the power of a power supply “on” or “off’. Some smart lighting devices may turn on when the power supply is lost and is then restored. However, many smart lighting devices will remember the last stage of operation and keep the same stage when the supply power is restored. When the supply power is lost, the smart hub (controller, router, bridge) usually also loses power. Smart hubs may take several minutes or longer to come back online / reinitialize when the supply power is restored which is not ideal for emergency lighting applications.

[0008] Accordingly, when the power supply is lost, it is not possible to guaranty that all the smart lighting devices will turn on. However, in emergency situations, the emergency lighting must always turn on when powered by the emergency backup power systems.

[0009] This document describes systems and methods that are intended to address at least some issues and shortcomings discussed above and / or other issues as discussed below.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention address the shortcomings noted above.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention is related to an improved emergency lighting system using smart LED lighting devices.

[0013] In some aspects of the present invention, this is accomplished using an emergency power source, inverter or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that can be controlled to provide power with the initial pulsating pattern that is used to reset smart LED lighting devices or other lighting devices. It should be understood that some lighting devices are rated for both AC and DC. It should also be understood that the term “reset” is not used to mean to reconfigure the smart LED lighting devices or other lighting device to the original factory setting. As used herein, the term “reset” means to turn the power supplied the smart LED lighting devices or other lighting devices on and off.

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will allow for an emergency powering up routine to ensure that smart lighting devices turn on when emergency power is provided. This will enable the smart lighting devices to activate / reset without the need to communicate with a smart hub.

[0015] Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention may include a controller to provide a control signal, which may be preset or adjusted using a signal from a power consumption sensor, to an emergency power source, inverter or UPS to provide power with an initial pulsating pattern to one or more smart lighting devices.

[0016] One embodiment of the present invention is directed to an emergency power system including a backup power source arranged to supply power to one or more lighting devices (13) during an emergency event, and a controller arranged to adjust the supply power to form a reset signal for the one or more lighting devices. The controller may be directly coupled to the back power source to adjust the supply power bases on a preset power pattern or the emergency power system may further include a sensor arranged to determine power consumption of the one or more lighting devices and to provide a signal to the controller to adjust the supply power.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a controller for an emergency lighting system. The controller including circuitry arranged to adjust a power output from a backup power source during an emergency event to form a reset signal for one or more smart lighting devices during the emergency event. The reset signal forms an on-off pulsed power signal. After the one or more smart lighting devices have been reset, the power output is maintained at a steady state. The controller may be directly coupled to the backup power source to adjust the power output based on a preset power pattern or the controller may further include a sensor arranged to determine power consumption of the one or more lighting devices and to provide a signal to the controller to adjust the power output.

[0018] The present invention enables an emergency lighting system to be applied to any large-scale lighting application using smart lighting devices that will ensure proper activation of the smart lighting devices upon activation of emergency power situations.

[0019] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further details, aspects, and embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. In the figures, elements which correspond to elements already described may have the same reference numerals. In the drawings,

[0022] Fig. 1 block diagram showing elements of an emergency lighting system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 block diagram showing elements of an emergency lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as exemplary of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described.

[0025] In the following, for the sake of understanding, elements of embodiments are described in operation. However, it will be apparent that the respective elements are arranged to perform the functions being described as performed by them.

[0026] The term “LED” should be understood to include any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection / juncti on-based system that is capable of generating radiation in response to an electric signal. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent strips, and the like. In particular, the term LED refers to light emitting diodes of all types (including semi-conductor and organic light emitting diodes) that may be configured to generate radiation in one or more of the infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, and various portions of the visible spectrum (generally including radiation wavelengths from approximately 400 nanometers to approximately 700 nanometers). Some examples of LEDs include, but are not limited to, various types of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white LEDs (discussed further below). It also should be appreciated that LEDs may be configured and / or controlled to generate radiation having various bandwidths (e.g., full widths at half maximum, or FWHM) for a given spectrum (e.g., narrow bandwidth, broad bandwidth), and a variety of dominant wavelengths within a given general color categorization.

[0027] It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the physical and / or electrical package type of an LED. For example, as discussed above, an LED may refer to a single light emitting device having multiple dies that are configured to respectively emit different spectra of radiation (e.g., that may or may not be individually controllable). Also, an LED may be associated with a phosphor that is considered as an integral part of the LED (e.g., some types of white LEDs). In general, the term LED may refer to packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip-on-board LEDs, T-package mount LEDs, radial package LEDs, power package LEDs, LEDs including some type of encasement and / or optical element (e.g., a diffusing lens), etc.

[0028] The term “light source” should be understood to refer to any one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-based sources (including one or more LEDs as defined above), incandescent sources (e.g., filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (e.g., sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, other types of electroluminescent sources, pyro-luminescent sources (e.g., flames), candle-luminescent sources (e.g., gas mantles, carbon arc radiation sources), photo-luminescent sources (e.g., gaseous discharge sources), cathode luminescent sources using electronic satiation, galvano-luminescent sources, crystallo-luminescent sources, kine-luminescent sources, thermo-luminescent sources, triboluminescent sources, sonoluminescent sources, radioluminescent sources, and luminescent polymers.

[0029] The term “lighting fixture or device” is used herein to refer to an implementation or arrangement of one or more lighting units in a particular form factor, assembly, or package. The term “lighting unit” is used herein to refer to an apparatus including one or more light sources of same or different types. A given lighting unit may have any one of a variety of mounting arrangements for the light source(s), enclosure / housing arrangements and shapes, and / or electrical and mechanical connection configurations. Additionally, a given lighting unit optionally may be associated with (e.g., include, be coupled to and / or packaged together with) various other components (e.g., control circuitry) relating to the operation of the light source(s). An “LED-based lighting unit” refers to a lighting unit that includes one or more LED-based light sources as discussed above, alone or in combination with other non-LED-based light sources.

[0030] The term “smart lighting devices” is used here to refer to lighting devices that include an integrated chip (“IC”) and / or other circuitry so that they can communicate with other devices wirelessly. Such smart lighting devices can connect to an app, smart home assistant, or other smart accessory, so that a user automate turn “on”, change color, dim or general control them remotely. There are multiple wireless communication technologies may be used to communicate with the smart lighting device such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and wireless MESH networks. The smart lighting devices can, for example, communicate with an app on a smart device (e.g., a smart phone) and / or communicate with a smart hub, bridge, or server so that the smart lighting devices can controlled / grouped together. Such smart hub or bridges can create recurring automations, extend the smart lighting devices to outdoor spaces, experience surround lighting, add and configure accessories, and use voice assistants.

[0031] As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term "load" refers to an electronic device drawing current from a power source. Examples of a load may include an internal battery of an emergency lighting device, a UPS, a lighting device, such as resistive incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent lights light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and lamp drivers or other device that requires AC power as an input.

[0032] The terms “app”, “smart device”, generally refers to a mobile and / or easily transportable computing device, typically hand held or wearable, such as (but not limited to) a smart phone, smart pad, tablet computer, laptop computer, smart watch, wrist band, wearable computer, etc., which is capable of running an application program (or “App”), as well understood by those of skill in the art. Such a smart device would generally be expected to provide a graphical and / or touch activated display or screen, where the User Interface (UI) would be presented. The UI would typically allow configuration of the application program, perform specific immediate operations on the smart bulb, or smart switch or smart I / O devices (such as turn on / off), and also configure, program, read status from, write status to, and / or generally interact with the current and future state of the smart device.

[0033] Further, the invention is not limited to the embodiments, and the invention lies in each and every novel feature or combination of features described herein or recited in mutually different dependent claims.

[0034] Certain aspects and features relate to providing constant power to an emergency light emitting diode (“LED”) lighting system. An emergency LED lighting system can power an LED lighting source using an AC power source (e.g., AC mains power) during normal operation and using an emergency power source (e.g., a battery) during an emergency mode. The emergency LED lighting system can include a battery charging circuit for charging a battery during a charging mode when the AC power source is available. An emergency LED lighting system can enter the emergency mode in response to the emergency LED lighting system being disconnected from the AC power source.

[0035] Emergency LED lighting systems are disclosed herein that maintain backup power to emergency lighting devices for a variety of load voltages and throughout a battery discharge cycle and provides an initial pulsating power cycle for activating / resetting smart lighting devices. These features can improve the efficient activation of the emergency LED lighting system and allows the emergency LED lighting system to provide steadier emergency lighting as needed. Fig. 1 depicts an example of an emergency lighting system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the emergency LED lighting system 100 includes a main power source 10, a backup power source 11 and a controller 12 coupled thereto. The backup power source 11 may include (not shown) a battery charger, a battery pack, and an emergency LED driver. In other embodiments, the backup power source 11 may comprise an inverter or UPS unit. During normal operation of the emergency LED lighting system 100 (e.g., charging mode), the backup power source 11 can be coupled to the main power source 10 (e.g., AC mains power). For example, in one configuration, the battery charger can receive an AC input from the AC mains power and use the AC input to charge the battery pack.

[0036] As used herein, the terms “controller”, “circuit” or “module” are used herein generally to describe a structure or circuitry that can be implemented in numerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware and / or software) to perform various functions discussed herein. The structure or circuitry may include, for example, transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, Integrated Circuits (ICs) and processors. A “processor” is one example of a controller (or a central component of a controller) which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0037] The controller 12 may be communicatively coupled to the backup power source 11 (e.g., UPS) to adjust the power being provided to a load 13. In this configuration, the load 13 may include one or more smart lighting devices. The one or more smart lighting devices 13, for example, may be programmable LED-based lighting units. During emergency mode (i.e., loss of power from the main power source 10), the backup power source 11 provides current to the load 13.

[0038] In one embodiment, the controller 12 is preprogrammed to generate a preset power pulsing signal 14 for known loads 13. In this configuration, the output of the backup power source 11 is turned on and off directly to create a power pulsing signal 14. For example, the power pulsing signal 14 will have an “on” and “off’ power cycle. For example, but not limited to, the power being provided to the load 13, will be “on” for one or more seconds, generally one to five, then turn “off’ for one or more seconds. This on-off cycle pattern 14 is repeated two to five times. The exact on-off cycle pattern will depend on the type smart lighting device being used in the emergency lighting system 100 as this on-off cycle pattern 14 (i.e., reset signal) will vary according to the type / model / brand of the smart lighting device. After the power pulsing signal 14 is provided and the smart lighting devices have reset, the power output from the backup power source 11 may be held in a steady state mode.

[0039] It should be understood that more than one preset power pulsing signal 14 may be used to reset different smart lighting devices. A first preset power pulsing signal 14 may be provided to reset a first smart lighting device and then a second preset power pulsing signal 14 may be subsequently provided to reset a second smart lighting device and so on.

[0040] In another embodiment, the controller 12 can monitor output power and will adjust the power pulsing signal 14 until the controller 12 can detect power consumption of the load 13. Such power detection can be done by measuring current and / or voltage at the load 13 and / or within backup power source 12 (i.e., the UPS). For example, the controller 12 can receive a signal from a sensor 15 to determine the power being provided to the load 13. Based on this signal, the controller 12 can adjust the current being provided to the load 13. The sensor 14 may include a voltage sensor (not shown), and / or a current sensor (not shown). The voltage sensor can include a resistor divider coupled in parallel to the load 13 for measuring a voltage across the load 13. The current sensor can include a resistor coupled in series to an output of the backup power source 11 for measuring a current passing through to the load 13.

[0041] Fig. 2 depicts an example of an emergency lighting system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the emergency LED lighting system 200 includes a main power source 10, a backup power source 11, a controller 20 and a switch 21. In this configuration, the controller 20 does not directly control the backup power source 11 to adjust an output power signal 22 from the backup power source 11. The controller 20 is coupled to the switch 21. The switch 21 receives the output power signal 22 and is used to create a power pulsed signal 23 (similar to the power pulsed signal 14 discussed above). It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other types of power modulators may also be used to form the power pulsed signal 23 from the output power signal 22. It should be understood that more than one of the sensors 15 may be used and the switch 21 may have more than one output channel so that more than one power pulsing signal 14 may be used to reset different type of the smart lighting devices.

[0042] As discussed in regard to the emergency lighting system 100, the controller 20 may be preprogrammed to generate the power pulsing signal 23 for a known load 13. The controller 20 may also be configured to monitor output power and will adjust the power pulsing signal 23 until the controller 20 can detect power consumption of the load 13. Such power detection can be done by measuring current and / or voltage at the load 13 and / or within backup power source 11. For example, the controller 20 can receive a signal from a sensor 15 to determine the power being provided to the load 13.

[0043] It should be understood that the various elements / blocks shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be combined or modified to provide the functionality and structures described above. In addition, a combination of hardware and software may be used for implementation.

[0044] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0045] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0046] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0047] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0048] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0049] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0050] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[0051] In the claims references in parentheses refer to reference signs in drawings of exemplifying embodiments or to formulas of embodiments, thus increasing the intelligibility of the claim. These references shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An emergency power system (100), comprising: an emergency power source (11) arranged to supply power to one or more smart lighting devices (13) during an emergency event; wherein the one or more smart lighting devices are controlled by a smart device and / or smart hub, and during an emergency event the smart device and / or smart hub is unavailable; and a controller (12) arranged to adjust the supply power from the emergency power source (11) to form an on / off reset signal (14) for the one or more smart lighting devices (13) without communication with the smart device and / or smart hub.

2. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (12) is directly coupled to the emergency power source (11) and adjusts the supply power bases on a preset power pattern (14).

3. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 1, wherein more than of the one preset power pattern (14) may be used to reset different smart lighting devices.

4. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor (15) arranged to determine power consumption of the one or more smart lighting devices (13) and to provide a signal to the controller (12) to adjust the supply power.

5. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the reset signal (14) forms an on-off pulsed power signal (14).

6. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the on-off pulsed power signal (14) has a preset on-off cycle and is repeated more than once.

7. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the emergency power supply (11) is an emergency lighting power source.

8. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (12) comprises, circuitry arranged to adjust a power output from a backup power source (11) during an emergency event to form the on / off reset signal (14) for one or more smart lighting devices (13) during an emergency event, wherein the reset signal (14) is an on-off pulsed power signal (14), and wherein after the one or more smart lighting devices (13) have been reset, the power output is maintained at a steady state.

9. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 8, wherein the controller (12) is directly coupled to the back power source (11) and adjusts the power output based on a preset power pattern (14).

10. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 9, wherein more than of the one preset power pattern (14) may be used to reset different smart lighting devices.

11. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 8, , further comprising a sensor (15) arranged to determine power consumption of the one or more lighting devices (13) and to provide a signal to the controller (12) to adjust the power output.

12. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 8, wherein more than one of the sensors (15) is provided and the switch (21) has more than one output channel so that more than one of the on-off pulsed power signal (14) may be used to reset different types of the smart lighting devices (13).

13. The emergency power system (100) according to claim 8, , wherein the on-off pulsed power signal (14) has an on-off cycle between one to five seconds and is repeated more than once.

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