U.S. patent application number 14/290152 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for method of providing lumens and tracking of lumen consumption.
This patent application is currently assigned to Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc.. Invention is credited to John C. Pederson.
Application Number | 20140279325 14/290152 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45607353 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140279325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pederson; John C. |
September 18, 2014 |
METHOD OF PROVIDING LUMENS AND TRACKING OF LUMEN CONSUMPTION
Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for compensating an LED light
fixture/light source provider for generation of photons by one or
more LED light fixtures used by a customer. In one example, a
method comprises receiving a monetary amount as compensation for
photons generated by the LED light fixtures/light sources,
maintaining a contractual relationship with the customer in
exchange for the monetary amount, the contractual relationship
including a requirement that the provider pay an electricity
supplier for the electricity consumed by the LED light
fixtures/light sources, determining, with a meter associated with
each respective LED light fixture/light source, the amount of
electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/light sources used
by the customer over a period of time, and in response to the
determination and on behalf of the customer, submitting payment to
the customer's electricity supplier for the electricity consumed by
the LED light fixtures/light sources used by the customer.
Inventors: |
Pederson; John C.; (Merritt
Island, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Federal Law Enforcement Development Services, Inc. |
St. Cloud |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Federal Law Enforcement Development
Services, Inc.
St. Cloud
MN
|
Family ID: |
45607353 |
Appl. No.: |
14/290152 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13972294 |
Aug 21, 2013 |
8751390 |
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14290152 |
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13350463 |
Jan 13, 2012 |
8543505 |
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13972294 |
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61432949 |
Jan 14, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/102 20130101;
H05B 45/10 20200101; G06Q 20/145 20130101; G07F 15/003 20130101;
H05B 47/175 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/34 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/14 20060101
G06Q020/14; H05B 33/08 20060101 H05B033/08 |
Claims
1. A method of tracking lumen generation and payment for lumen
generation from at least one light emitting diode light fixture
used by a customer, the method comprising: providing at least one
light emitting diode light fixture, the provider of the at least
one light emitting diode light fixture receiving payment of a
pre-determined monetary amount as compensation for photons
generated by the at least one light emitting diode light fixture
for a period of time; metering the electricity entering the at
least one light emitting diode light fixture over the period of
time and storing the metered amount of electricity entering the at
least one light emitting diode light fixture over the period of
time in memory on at least one processor; measuring the light
exiting the at least one light emitting diode light fixture over
the period of time and storing in said memory the measured light
exiting the at least one light emitting diode light fixture over
the period of time on the at least one processor; automatically
comparing at the at least one processor the measured amount of
light at each of the at least one light emitting diode light
fixture for the period of time to data representative of a desired
lumen illumination level wherein the at least one processor
automatically adjusts the electricity to be provided to each of the
at least one light emitting diode light fixture to achieve the
desired lumen illumination level; storing in said memory the
adjusted electricity provided to each of the at least one light
emitting diode light fixture for the period of time; retrieving
from memory and compiling on a computing device the metered
electricity and the adjusted electricity provided to each of the at
least one light emitting diode light fixture for the period of
time; determining at the computing device the amount of
compensation to be paid for the lumen generation for the compiled
electricity for the at least one light emitting diode light fixture
for the period of time; and comparing the amount of compensation to
be paid for the lumen generation to the pre-determined monetary
amount and billing the customer the difference between the amount
of compensation to be paid and the pre-determined monetary amount
for the period of time.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the
metered amount of electricity to a computing device on a weekly
basis.
3. The method claim 1, further comprising communicating the metered
amount of electricity to the computing device, the communication
comprising a unique identifier associated with the at least one
light emitting diode light fixture.
4. The method of claim 3, the unique identifier comprising global
positioning system information.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the
metered amount of electricity to the computing device upon a
provider request.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying the total
amount of electricity associated with each respective light
emitting diode light fixture, and the amount of lumens generated by
the at least one light emitting diode light fixture over a period
of time.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: increasing an amount
of current applied to at least one light emitting diode of the
light emitting diode light fixture if the amount of lumens
generated by the at least one light emitting diode light fixture is
determined to be below a pre-determined level.
8. A method for tracking lumen illumination and payment for lumen
illumination, said method comprising: installing at least one light
emitting diode light fixture at a customer location; the at least
one light emitting diode light fixture provider receiving payment
of a pre-determined monetary amount as compensation for photons
generated by each of the at least one light emitting diode light
fixture for a billing cycle; metering electricity provided to each
of the at least one light emitting diode light fixture for a period
of time and storing the metered electricity provided to each of the
at least one light emitting diode light fixture on at least one
processor having memory; measuring the amount of lumens generated
by each of the at least one light emitting diode light fixture for
the period of time and storing the measured amount of lumens within
said at least one processor having memory; automatically comparing
the measured amount of lumens at each of the at least one light
emitting diode light fixture for the period of time to data
representative of a desired lumen illumination level as stored in
the memory of the at least one processor; automatically adjusting
the electricity to be provided to each of the at least one light
emitting diode light fixture to achieve a desired lumen
illumination level said adjusting being implemented by said at
least one processor; and calculating within a computing device an
electrical payment to be made by the customer of the at least one
light emitting diode light fixture to the provider of the at least
one light emitting diode light fixture for the billing cycle.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing on said at
least one processor having memory the adjusted amount of
electricity provided to each of the at least one light emitting
diode light fixture for the period of time to achieve the desired
lumen illumination level prior to said calculating of said
electrical payment.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising retrieving the
metered electricity and the adjusted electricity provided to each
of the at least one light emitting diode light fixture from the
memory of the at least one processor according to a communication
schedule.
11. The method of claim 8, each light emitting diode light fixture
comprising a unique identifier.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the unique identifier comprises
global positioning system information.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising retrieving the
metered electricity and the adjusted electricity provided to each
of the at least one light emitting diode light fixture
automatically without user intervention.
14. A method of tracking lumen generation and payment for lumen
generation the method comprising: providing a customer with at
least one light emitting diode light fixture, the provider of the
at least one light emitting diode light fixture receiving from the
customer a payment of a pre-determined monetary amount as
compensation for photons generated by the at least one light
emitting diode light fixture for a period of time; metering the
electricity entering the at least one light emitting diode light
fixture over the period of time and storing the metered amount of
electricity entering the at least one light emitting diode light
fixture over the period of time in memory on at least one
processor; measuring the electricity exiting the at least one light
emitting diode light fixture over the period of time and storing in
said memory the measured electricity exiting the at least one light
emitting diode light fixture over the period of time on the at
least one processor; automatically comparing at the at least one
processor the measured amount of electricity exiting each of the at
least one light emitting diode light fixture for the period of time
to data representative of a desired lumen illumination level,
wherein the at least one processor automatically adjusts the
electricity to be provided to each of the at least one light
emitting diode light fixture to achieve the desired lumen
illumination level; storing in said memory the adjusted electricity
provided to each of the at least one light emitting diode light
fixture for the period of time; retrieving from memory and
compiling on a computing device the metered electricity and the
adjusted electricity provided to each of the at least one light
emitting diode light fixture for the period of time; determining at
the computing device the amount of compensation to be paid for the
lumen generation for the compiled electricity for the at least one
light emitting diode light fixture for the period of time.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/972,294, filed on Aug. 21, 2013, which is a
Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/350,463, filed
on Jan. 13, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/432,949, entitled "Method of Providing Lumens
and Tracking of Lumen Consumption," by John C. Pederson, and filed
on Jan. 14, 2011, the entire content of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure relates to light emitting diodes (LEDs) and,
more particularly, to managing the costs associated with LED
lighting fixtures.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Present communication techniques using radiofrequency (RF)
suffer from a number of problems. First, there are security
concerns because transmissions using RF can be easily intercepted,
in part because of the fact that RF signals are designed to radiate
signals in all directions. Second, the heavy regulation by the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its control of the
frequencies that may be used for RF transmission often present
daunting challenges to RF broadcasters. Third, RF by its very
nature is susceptible to interference and produces noise.
[0004] In contrast to RF communications, light sources used for
communication are extremely secure due to the fact that they are
focused within a narrow beam, requiring placing equipment within
the beam itself for interception. Also, because the visible
spectrum is not regulated by the FCC, light sources can be used for
communications purposes without the need of a license. And, light
sources are not susceptible to interference nor do they produce
noise that can interfere with other devices.
[0005] Light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used as light sources
for data transmission, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,879,263 and
7,046,160, the entire contents of each being expressly incorporated
herein by reference. LEDs have quick response to "ON" and "OFF"
signals, as compared to the longer warm-up and response times
associated with fluorescent lighting, for example. LEDs are also
efficient in producing light, as measured in lumens per watt.
Recent developments in LED technology, such as high brightness blue
LEDs, which in turn paved the way for white LEDs, have made LEDs a
practical alternative to conventional light sources. As such, LED
technology provides a practical opportunity to combine lighting and
communication. This combination of lighting and communication
allows ubiquitous light sources such as street lights, home
lighting, and office building lighting, for example, to be
converted to, or supplemented with, LED technology to provide for
communications while simultaneously producing light for
illumination purposes.
[0006] Regarding office buildings, building management is a complex
science which incorporates and governs all facets of human,
mechanical and structural systems associated with buildings. As a
result of the complexity, most commercial buildings are managed by
commercial property management companies with great expertise. Both
at the time of construction and throughout the life-cycle of a
building, the interrelationships between people and the mechanical
and structural systems are most desirably evaluated. Where possible
and cost-effective, human interactions with a building and
associated mechanical systems will be optimized, in turn providing
the greatest benefit to both the owners and those who use the
facilities afforded by the building. Noteworthy is the fact that
building users may include both regular occupants such as
individual or commercial tenants, and also transient occupants such
as visitors, guests, or commercial customers.
[0007] Building management includes diverse facets, some which are
simply representations of the building and associated systems and
people, and other facets which are tangible. Exemplary of
representations are accounting or financial monitoring
responsibilities which will including record keeping control and
assurance of financial transactions involving tenants, owners, and
service providers. Exemplary of the physical or tangible
responsibilities are physical development and maintenance,
including identification of need for features, improvements,
maintenance and the assurance of the execution of the same. As is
well understood by those highly versed in building management, the
diverse responsibilities and extent of information required to
manage a building is often quite overwhelming.
[0008] One very important area associated with building management
is lighting or illumination. While often perceived as a simple task
of providing lights, this seemingly simple task has much research
and science behind a well-designed lighting system. This is because
safety, productivity and general well-being of occupants depend
heavily on proper lighting.
[0009] Many factors need to be considered at the time of
construction or remodeling to facilitate proper lighting design.
Intended usage of a space is important in illumination design
consideration, since this will dictate necessary illumination
levels, times and duration of use, and anticipated cycling of the
illumination. In other words, a supply closet will not ordinarily
be designed for around-the-clock illumination, and may instead by
configured to operate on a switch, or alternatively a motion
detector with relatively short-delay turn-off when no motion is
detected. The use of appropriate switches and motion detectors
helps to reduce the energy required for a building to function with
occupants, and simultaneously increases the life of many
illumination components such as light sources (light bulbs and
equivalents thereto) since the light sources are only required
intermittently. As another example, a room where movies, slides,
computer or other visual or audio-visual presentations are given,
such as a boardroom or classroom, will preferably have light
controls such as separate switches or switches and dimmer controls
which enable the entire room to be well lit or alternatively
maintain a minimum level of illumination normally opposite to where
the presentation is displayed. This minimum level of illumination
enables occupants sufficient light for note-taking, safe movement
and other important activities, without interfering with the
legibility of a presentation. In yet another example, a primary
work-space such as a desk or kitchen counter will require
illumination that does not cast shadows on the work space while
work is being performed. Complementary illumination, such as
windows or skylights, is also important in design
consideration.
[0010] Nearly all public buildings rely on a great many lamps
positioned throughout the interior of the building, such as along
hall corridors and in each room, and also about the exterior. These
lights have historically been activated manually, though more
recently, a small but growing number are activated according to
occupancy, proximity or motion sensors, typically incorporating the
well-known Infra-Red (IR) motion sensors. Architects are commonly
employed to assist not only with a floor plan of physical spaces,
but also with the proper selection and layout of lighting to best
complement the floor plan and usage of each space within a
building. As may be appreciated, illumination of a space is
determined at the time of production of blueprints, in anticipation
of construction. The illumination that has been chosen for a space
is essentially fixed during building construction. Changes may be
made later, but not without substantial additional expense that
will, for exemplary purposes, often include removal of parts of or
entire walls, with the accompanying disruption of the space. Often
the space is unavailable for use during the entire duration of a
remodeling project.
[0011] Further complicating the issue of illumination is the type
of light bulb that may be most appropriate for a space or location.
Original electric light bulbs were incandescent. With sufficient
electrical energy, which is converted to heat within an
incandescent bulb filament, the filament will emit visible light.
This is similar to a fire, where with enough heat, visible light is
produced. As might also be appreciated though, incandescent bulbs
produce far more heat than light. The color of the light from these
bulbs is also most commonly quite yellow, casting a warm hue at a
color temperature typically in the vicinity of 3,000 degrees
Kelvin. Warm hues are often prized in relaxed settings such as
those of a living room or dining room, more closely resembling
gentle candle light. However, in contrast thereto, work and study
environments are more preferably illuminated with light of more
blue content, more closely resembling daylight with color
temperatures of approximately 6,000 degrees Kelvin. Daylight color
temperatures are not practically obtained using an incandescent
bulb. In addition, these incandescent bulbs have only a few
thousand hour life expectancy, even with more than a century of
improvements, because the extreme temperatures required for the
filament to light also gradually evaporates the filament material.
Finally, the thermal mass of the filament greatly influences how
quickly the filament both illuminates and extinguishes. In spite of
the many limitations, incandescent bulbs are still in fairly
wide-spread use today.
[0012] An alternative to incandescent light bulbs in common use
today is the fluorescent bulb. A fluorescent light bulb uses a
small amount of mercury in vapor state. High voltage electricity is
applied to the mercury gas, causing the gas to ionize and generate
some visible light, but primarily Ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light
is harmful to humans, being the component that causes sun burns, so
the UV component of the light must be converted into visible light.
The inside of a fluorescent tube is coated with a phosphorescent
material, which when exposed to ultraviolet light glows in the
visible spectrum. This is similar to many glow-in-the-dark toys and
other devices that incorporate phosphorescent materials. As a
result, the illumination from a fluorescent light will continue for
a significant time, even after electrical power is discontinued,
which for the purposes of the present disclosure will be understood
to be the latent period or latency between the change in power
status and response by the phosphor. As the efficiencies and
brightness of the phosphors has improved, so in many instances have
the delays in illumination and extinguishing, or latency,
increased. Through the selection of many different modern
phosphorescent coatings at the time of manufacture, fluorescent
bulbs may be manufactured that produce light from different parts
of the spectrum, resulting in manufacturing control of the color
temperature, or hue or warmness of a bulb.
[0013] The use of fluorescent bulbs, even though quite widespread,
is controversial for several reasons. One source states that all
pre-1979 light ballasts emit highly toxic Polychlorinated BiPhenyls
(PCBs). Even if modern ballasts are used, fluorescent bulbs also
contain a small but finite amount of mercury. Even very small
amounts of mercury are sufficient to contaminate a property.
Consequently, both the manufacture and disposal of
mercury-containing fluorescent tubes is hazardous. Fluorescent
lighting has also been alleged to cause chemical reactions in the
brain and body that produce fatigue, depression,
immuno-suppression, and reduced metabolism. Further, while the
phosphor materials may be selected to provide hue or color control,
this hue is fixed at the time of manufacture, and so is not easily
changed to meet changing or differing needs for a given building
space.
[0014] Other gaseous discharge bulbs such as halide, mercury or
sodium vapor lamps have also been devised. Halide, mercury and
sodium vapor lamps operate at higher temperatures and pressures,
and so present undesirably greater fire hazards. In addition, these
bulbs present a possibility of exposure to harmful radiation from
ruptured outer bulbs that go undetected. Furthermore, mercury and
sodium vapor lamps generally have very poor
color-rendition-indices, meaning the light rendered by these bulbs
is quite different from ordinary daylight, distorting human color
perception. Yet another set of disadvantages has to do with the
starting or lighting of these types of bulbs. Mercury and sodium
vapor lamps both exhibit extremely slow starting times, often
measured by many minutes. The in-rush currents during starting are
also commonly large. Many of the prior art bulbs additionally
produce significant and detrimental noise pollution, commonly in
the form of a hum or buzz at the frequency of the power line
alternating current. In some cases, such as fluorescent lights,
ballasts change dimension due to magnetostrictive forces. Magnetic
field leakage from the ballast may undesirably couple to adjacent
conductive or ferromagnetic materials, resulting in magnetic forces
as well. Both types of forces will generate undesirable sound.
Additionally, in some cases a less-optimal bulb may also produce a
buzzing sound.
[0015] When common light bulbs are incorporated into public and
private facilities, the limitations of existing bulb technologies
often will adversely impact building occupants. As just one
example, in one school the use of full-spectrum lamps in eight
experimental classrooms decreased anxiety, depression, and
inattention in students with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). The
connection between lighting and learning has been conclusively
established by numerous additional studies. Mark Schneider, with
the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, declares
that ability to perform requires "clean air, good light, and a
quiet, comfortable, and safe learning environment." Unfortunately,
the flaws in much of the existing lighting have been made worse as
buildings have become bigger. The foregoing references to schools
will be understood to be generally applicable to commercial and
manufacturing environments as well, making even the selection of
types of lights and color-rendition-indexes very important, again
depending upon the intended use for a space. Once again, this
selection will be fixed, either at the time of construction when a
particular lighting fixture is installed, or at the time of bulb
installation, either in a new fixture or with bulb
replacements.
[0016] A second very important area associated with building
management is energy management. The concern for energy management
is driven by the expense associated with energy consumed over the
life of a building. Energy management is quite challenging to
design into a building, because many human variables come into play
within different areas within a building structure. Considering the
foregoing discussion of lighting, different occupants will have
different preferences and habits. Some occupants may regularly
forget to turn off lights when a space is no longer being occupied,
thereby wasting electricity and diminishing the useful life of the
light bulbs. In another instance, one occupant may require full
illumination for that occupant to operate efficiently or safely
within a space, while a second occupant might only require a small
amount or local area of illumination. Further complicating the
matter of energy management is the fact that many commercial
establishments may have rates based upon peak usage. A business
with a large number of lights that are controlled with a common
switch may have peak demands large relative to total consumption of
power, simply due to the relatively large amount of power that will
rush in to the circuit. Breaking the circuit into several switches
may not adequately address inrush current, since a user may switch
more than one switch at a time, such as by sliding a hand across
several switches at once. Additionally, during momentary or
short-term power outages, the start-up of electrical devices by the
power company is known to cause many problems, sometimes harming
either customer equipment or power company devices. Control over
inrush current is therefore very desirable, but not economically
viable in the prior art.
[0017] Energy management also includes consideration for
differences in temperature preferred by different occupants or for
different activities. For exemplary purposes, an occupant of a
first office space within a building may prefer a temperature close
to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, while a different occupant in a second
office space may prefer a temperature close to 78 degrees
Fahrenheit. The first and second office spaces may even be the same
office space, just at different times of day. For exemplary
purposes, an employee working in a mail room from 8 a.m. until 4
p.m. may be replaced by a different mail room employee who works
from 4 p.m. until 12 a.m. Heating, Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) demand or need is dependent not only upon the
desired temperature for a particular occupant, but also upon the
number of occupants within a relatively limited space. In other
words, a small room with many people will require more ventilation
and less heating than that same room with only one occupant.
[0018] With careful facility design, considerable electrical and
thermal energy can be saved. Proper management of electrical
resources affects every industry, including both tenants and
building owners. In the prior art, this facility design has been
limited to selection of very simple or basic switches, motion
detectors, and thermostats, and particular lights, all fixed at the
time of design, construction or installation.
[0019] A third very important area associated with building
management is security. Continuing to use a school as but one
example of a public building, a one-room country school fifty years
ago was made up of one teacher who knew well the small number of
pupils. Security consisted of a simple padlock on a wooden door.
The several windows on one side of the room provided light. They
were locked but almost never broken into, for nothing of major
value, even during the Depression, enticed potential thieves.
[0020] Architecture changed as the years passed. Buildings were
enlarged as school populations increased. Students started to
conceal books, outerwear, valuables, and occasionally even weapons
in enclosed lockers. Indoor lighting was required. Eventually as
society became more hazardous, security had to be provided in many
schools in the form of personnel who were required to patrol both
outside and inside schools in order to provide a measure of
safety.
[0021] In many public buildings, including schools, modern security
presently screens a building's occupants to ensure that they belong
or have proper authorization to enter the building. Security must
also check for weapons, drugs, and even explosives. Thus, modern
security personnel are often responsible for property as well as
people. As the types of potential perils increase, so does the need
for personnel, to process occupants through more and more stations.
For exemplary purposes, in schools, airports, court houses, and
other public facilities, one or more guards may check
identification, admission badges or paperwork, while one or more
other guards monitor metal detectors. One or more additional guards
may be monitoring drug sniffing dogs or equipment, or spot checking
bags. Unfortunately, the possibilities of duplication and/or
forgery of credentials, or of hostile powers infiltrating security,
or other criminal methods demonstrate the potential weaknesses of
the present system, which depends upon a large number of security
employees. Motion sensors and other prior art electronic security
measures, while often beneficial, occasionally fail even when used
in combination with security personnel to provide adequate
protection. On the outside of a building, motion sensors may be
activated by strong winds, stray animals, passing vehicles, or
blowing debris. Inside, they operate only for a specific time; a
room's occupant, if not moving about, may suddenly be in the dark
and must re-activate the light by waving or flailing about.
[0022] An increasingly complex, and therefore hazardous, society
requires increasingly extensive patrols and safeguards. Current
security system, which must rely on increasing the numbers of
guards and security devices, are subject to inherent defects and
extraordinary expense, generally rendering them inadequate even
with the best of intention.
[0023] Yet another very important area associated with building
management is guidance control and indication, which impacts
building security, as well as building convenience and efficiency
for occupants. In buildings having many alternative hallways or
paths, such as are commonly found in hospitals and other large
public facilities, directions are often clumsy and difficult for
visitors or emergency personnel to follow. Old-fashioned
directories may be hard to locate or decipher, especially for
non-English speakers or for persons with little or no time, again
such as emergency personnel. Consequently, some buildings provide
color stripes along walls that serve as color coding to guide
visitors to various areas within the building. Unfortunately, the
number of color stripes that may be patterned is quite limited, and
the expense and defacing of appearance associated therewith is
undesirable. Furthermore, such striping does not completely
alleviate confusion, and the color stripes can only serve as
general guides to commonly visited areas.
[0024] In addition to their numerous uses with building management,
LEDs can be used in networking applications. In any network, a
variety of client devices will communicate with one or more host
devices. The host may provide connection to a Local Area Network
(LAN), sometimes referred to as an Intranet, owing to the common
use of such a network entirely within an office space, building, or
business. The host may additionally or alternatively provide
connection to a Wide Area Network (WAN), commonly describing a
network coupling widely separated physical locations which are
connected together through any suitable connection, including for
exemplary purposes but not solely limited thereto such means as
fiber optic links, T1 lines, Radio Frequency (RF) links including
cellular telecommunications links, satellite connections, DSL
connections, or even Internet connections. Generally, where more
public means such as the Internet are used, secured access will
commonly separate the WAN from general Internet traffic. The host
may further provide access to the Internet.
[0025] A variety of client devices have heretofore been enabled to
connect to host devices. Such client devices may commonly include
computing devices of all sorts, ranging from hand-held devices such
as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to massive mainframe
computers, and including Personal Computers (PCs). However, over
time many more devices have been enabled for connection to network
hosts, including for exemplary purposes printers, network storage
devices, cameras, other security and safety devices, appliances,
HVAC systems, manufacturing machinery, and so forth. Essentially,
any device which incorporates or can be made to incorporate
sufficient electronic circuitry may be so linked as a client to a
host.
[0026] Existing client devices are designed to connect to host
network access points through wired connections, like copper wire,
for example, fiber optic connections, or as wireless connections,
such as wireless routers. In the case of a wired system, whether
through simple wire, twisted wire, co-axial cable, fiber optics or
other line or link, the host and client are tethered together
through this physical communications channel. The tether, as may be
appreciated, limits movement of the client relative to the host, is
often unsightly and hard to contain in a workspace, and so may even
be or become a tripping hazard. In addition, electrical connectors
such as jacks must be provided, and these connectors necessarily
limit the number of access points and locations. The installation
of connectors defaces walls, sometimes rendering them unsuitable
for a particular desired application, and yet they add undesirable
installation expense, whether during new construction or in
retrofitting an existing building structure.
[0027] In contrast, in the case of wireless routers, an RF signal
replaces the physical communications channel with a radio channel.
This advantageously eliminates the wire or fiber tether between
client and host. Instead, client devices in a wireless system try
through various broadcasts and signal receptions to find an access
point that will have adequate transmission and reception, generally
within a certain signal range which may range from a few meters to
as many as several tens of meters. The systems are programmed to
bridge from a host access point to various client devices through
known exchanges of information, commonly described as
communications protocols or handshakes. Depending upon the
communications channel, a variety of client connection devices are
utilized such as PCMCIA or PC cards, serial ports, parallel ports,
SIMM cards, USB connectors, Ethernet cards or connectors, FireWire
interfaces, Bluetooth compatible devices, infrared/IrDA devices,
and other known or similar components.
[0028] The security of these prior art wireless devices can be
compromised in that they are vulnerable to unauthorized access or
interception, and the interception may be from a significant
distance, extending often well beyond physical building and
property boundaries. Moreover, reliability can be hindered by
interference from an appliance such as a microwave oven.
[0029] Buildings can encompass a very large number of rooms or
discrete spaces, each functioning relatively independently from
each other. Where the rooms or discrete spaces together form a
larger entity such as a business, public institution or facility,
or the like, which have attempted to include synchronized time
keeping throughout the entity. A large number of buildings, both
public and private, have synchronized clocks installed therein.
[0030] These same buildings also have a number of additional
features including, for exemplary purposes though not limited
thereto, fire and smoke detection, temperature control, and public
address. Because of the ever-changing nature of a building and the
best practices associated therewith, it can be quite difficult if
not impossible to keep all areas within a building up to date with
best practices or preferred capabilities. One method of desirable
features or capabilities within a building space is through the use
of electrical wiring adequate to accommodate the features or
capabilities, particularly when the features or capabilities are
identified subsequent to original construction.
[0031] For exemplary purposes, a building may accommodate very
different numbers of occupants at different times within a
relatively enclosed space, such as a meeting or class room. The
number of occupants is known to significantly alter the temperature
and associated need for HVAC control. Furthermore, other factors,
such as weather conditions and sunlight or lack thereof through
windows in a room may have as much or greater effect on the need
for HVAC control. However, many older buildings were only provided
with a single central thermostat, providing the same amount of
heating or air conditioning to a room or other space regardless of
demand for the same. Newer HVAC systems enable control, through
electrically controlled dampers or vents within the HVAC system to
much more precisely respond to the needs of a single space or room
within a building. However, without providing wiring within the
room to accommodate the thermostat and various duct controls, the
room may not be individually controlled.
[0032] Even where a building is originally provided with
appropriate wiring for each electrical system or component desired,
necessary remodeling may critically alter the need. As one example,
consider when a room or space is subdivided into two smaller
spaces. Existing wiring only provides for electrical connection to
one set of devices for one room. In this case, it may be necessary
to run new wires back to one or more central locations, utility
rooms, or the like to accommodate the new room and devices within
the room.
[0033] More buildings are incorporating wireless networks within
the building, the networks which are intended to reduce the need
for wiring alterations and additions practiced heretofore. However,
these wireless networks are not contained within the walls of a
building, and so they are subject to a number of limitations. One
of these is the lack of specific localization of a signal and
device. For exemplary purposes, even a weak Radio-Frequency (RF)
transceiver, in order to communicate reliably with all devices
within a room, will have a signal pattern that will undoubtedly
cross into adjacent rooms. If only one room or space in a building
is to be covered, this signal overlap is without consequence.
However, when many rooms are to be covered by different
transceivers, signal overlap between transceivers requires more
complex communications systems, including incorporating techniques
such as access control and device selection based upon
identification. Since the radio signal is invisible, detection of
radiant pattern and signal strength are difficult and require
special instruments. Further, detection of interference is quite
difficult. Finally, such systems are subject to outside tapping and
corruption, since containment of the signal is practically
impossible for most buildings.
[0034] Another issue associated with use of conventional and LED
lighting sources concerns the difficulty in quantifying the amount
of use of a light source, as well as the amount of degradation or
exhaustion of a light source before light source failure.
[0035] All U.S. patents and applications and all other published
documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
SUMMARY
[0036] In general, this disclosure describes techniques for
compensating an LED light fixture provider for generation of
photons by one or more LED light fixtures used by a customer. More
particularly, in accordance with various techniques of this
disclosure, an LED light fixture provider receives compensation
from customers using the provider's LED light fixtures, and the
provider pays the customer's electricity supplier, on behalf of the
customer, a monetary amount for the cost of the electricity used to
generate the photons by each LED light fixture on the customer's
premises. In this manner, the LED light fixture provider has
inserted itself between the customer and the electricity supplier,
e.g., a power company, in order to generate a revenue stream for
the provider.
[0037] In one example, this disclosure is directed to a method of
compensating an LED light fixture provider for generation of
photons by one or more LED light fixtures used by a customer. The
method comprises receiving a pre-determined monetary amount as
compensation for photons generated by the LED light fixtures,
maintaining a contractual relationship with the customer for a
period of time in exchange for the pre-determined monetary amount,
the contractual relationship including a requirement that the
provider pay the customer's electricity supplier for the
electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures used by the
customer, determining, with a meter associated with each respective
LED light fixture, the amount of electricity consumed by the LED
light fixtures used by the customer over a period of time, in
response to the determination and on behalf of the customer,
submitting payment to the customer's electricity supplier for the
electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures used by the
customer.
[0038] In another example, this disclosure is directed to a method
of compensating an LED light source provider for generation of
photons from at least one LED light source used by a customer. The
method comprises receiving a pre-determined monetary amount as
compensation for photons generated by the at least one LED light
source, maintaining a contractual relationship with the customer
for a period of time in exchange for the pre-determined monetary
amount, the contractual relationship including a requirement that
the provider pay the customer's electricity supplier for the
electricity consumed by the at least one LED light source,
determining, with a meter associated with each respective LED light
source, the amount of electricity consumed by the at least one LED
light source over a period of time, and in response to the
determination and on behalf of the customer, submitting payment to
the customer's electricity supplier for the electricity consumed by
the at least one LED light source.
[0039] The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set
forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other
features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the
description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0040] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example
communication system that may be used with the techniques of this
disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example LED light
fixture that may be used with the techniques of this
disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example metering
configuration for an LED light fixture, in accordance with various
technique of this disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example LED light
fixture agreement between a customer and a licensor.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of
compensating an LED light fixture provider for generation of
photons by one or more LED light fixtures used by a customer.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example system for
compensating an LED light fixture provider for generation of
photons by one or more LED light fixtures used by a customer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example
communication system that may be used with the techniques of this
disclosure. The communication system in FIG. 1, shown generally at
10, includes a server computer 12 connected to a server optical
transceiver (XCVR) 14, e.g., via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable
or the like, and a client computer 16 connected to a client optical
transceiver 18, e.g., via a USB cable or the like, that generates
pulsed light signals for pulsed light communication. Server 12 is
in communication with network 20 via a Category (CAT) 5 cable,
CAT-6 cable, or the like, for example.
[0047] Server optical XCVR 14 and client optical XCVR 18 are
substantially similar in at least one example and, as such, will be
described together for purposes of conciseness. Optical XCVRs 14,
18 may include one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs") 22 for
transmission of light and one or more photodetectors 24 for
receiving transmitted light. LEDs and photodetectors are well known
to those of ordinary skill in the art and, as such, their specific
operation will not be described in detail. The term "photodetector"
includes "photodiodes" and all other devices capable of converting
light into current or voltage. The terms photodetector and
photodiode are used interchangeably throughout this disclosure. The
use of the term photodiode is not intended to restrict embodiments
of the invention from using alternative photodetectors that are not
specifically mentioned herein.
[0048] In at least one example, the XCVR circuit may include an
RS232 to USB conversion module. The transmit pin on the USB
conversion module drives the driver electronics for the LEDs. In
some embodiments, the XCVR circuit includes high intensity LEDs. In
some embodiments it may be desirable to use high intensity LEDs to
enhance lighting, to improve data transmission, or both. In at
least one embodiment, a 12 volt direct current (DC), 3 amp power
supply is sufficient for powering an array of high intensity
LEDs.
[0049] In some embodiments, the XCVR circuit further includes an
amplifier for amplifying the optical signal received by the
photodiode. The output of the amplifier may be fed into level
shifting circuitry to raise the signal to TTL levels, for example.
The signal is then fed into the receive pin of the RS232 to USB
module.
[0050] In one example, an alternating current (AC) source such as a
line voltage, e.g., 120 Volt (V) provided by an electricity
supplier, e.g., power company, can supply power to the XCVR
circuit. In some embodiments, a 9V battery can be used to power the
amplifier circuitry. Significant noise is generated by switching
high brightness LEDs on and off, e.g., at 200 milliamps (mA) and
500 kilobits per second (kbps). Powering the amplifier with a
battery can reduce these noise problems by reducing or removing
transients.
[0051] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the LED can
both emit and receive light. In such an embodiment, the LED can act
both as a transmitter or receiver, i.e., a transceiver ("XCVR").
More information on such bi-directional LEDs can be found in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,072,587, the entire contents of which are expressly
incorporated herein by reference.
[0052] In at least one embodiment, the optical XCVRs, or circuitry
attached thereto, include modulation circuitry for modulating a
carrier signal with the optical signal. Modulation can be used to
eliminate bias conditions caused by sunlight or other interfering
light sources. Digital modulation can be accomplished by using
phase-shift keying, amplitude-shift keying, frequency-shift keying,
quadrature modulation, or any other digital modulation technique
known by those of ordinary skill. Similarly, such XCVRs can include
demodulation circuitry that extracts the data from the received
signal. Modulation and demodulation techniques for modulating light
signals are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,245,681, and 6,137,613,
the entire contents of each being expressly incorporated herein by
reference.
[0053] It may be desirable in some embodiments to further include
filters or filter circuitry to prevent unwanted light from being
amplified. For example, the optical baseband signal can be
modulated at 100 kHz and then transmitted. The XCVR that receives
the 100 kHz modulated signal can include a filter stage centered at
100 kHz. The filtered 100 kHz signal can then be input into the
amplifier circuitry, thereby preventing amplification of unwanted
signals. In some embodiments, it can be desirable to amplify the
transmitted signal first, and then filter out the baseband
signal.
[0054] Additional information regarding data communication can be
found in International Publication Number WO 99/49435, the entire
contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by
reference.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example LED light
fixture that may be used with the techniques of this disclosure.
LED light fixture 26 is configured to generate and receive pulsed
light signals for pulsed light communication. Power and data
applied to LED light fixture 26 is converted and transmitted as
observable light, which includes pulsed light embedded
communication/data signals that, in turn, are received by a
transceiver (not shown) in communication with a computing device,
for example. The transceiver receives and processes the pulsed
light photons/lumens transmitted by LED light fixture 26, which
includes embedded communication/data signals as carried by the
observed light. The embedded communication signals within the
observed light are not detectable by ordinary observation by an
individual.
[0056] LED light fixture 26 of FIG. 2 includes, for example,
photodetectors 24 for converting received light into an electrical
signal, e.g., current, and amplifier circuitry 28 that amplifies
the electrical signal. The received light may be received from a
LED light dongle communication system connected to a client
computer, for example, as described in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2008/0320200 to Pederson et al., the entire content
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0057] Processor 30 receives a digitized version of the electric
signal via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)(not shown),
generates data packets from the digitized signal, e.g., Ethernet
data packets, encapsulates the data packets with appropriate header
information and the like, and transmits the data packets to another
computer device, e.g., laptop computer, desktop computer, and the
like, via connector 32. LED fixture 26 may, for example, use
broadband over power line (BPL) techniques to transmit the data
packets, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2009/0129782 to John C. Pederson, the entire content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0058] The term "processor" as used herein refers to a processor,
controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, or any other device
that can execute instructions, perform arithmetic and logic
functions, access and write to memory, interface with peripheral
devices, etc. Processor 30 may take the form of one or more
microprocessors, controllers, ASICS, FPGAs, DSPs, or equivalent
discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The functions attributed to
processor 30 in this disclosure may be embodied as software,
firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.
[0059] LED light fixture 26 of FIG. 2 further includes LEDs 22 and
driver circuitry 34 for transmitting received data, e.g., Ethernet
data packets, to client computer 16 of FIG. 1, for example, as
light signals. Processor 30 receives data packets via connector 32,
e.g., using BPL techniques, and decapsulates the data packets.
Processor 30 controls a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)(not
shown) and driver circuitry 34 to drive LEDs 22 with an analog
signal that represents the received data, thereby generating light
signals carrying embedded data.
[0060] LED light fixture 26 further includes power supply circuitry
36. As one example, LED light fixture 26 may receive AC line power,
e.g., 120 V, and power supply circuitry 36 may include power
converter circuitry to convert the line voltage to a direct current
(DC) voltage that powers LED light fixture 26.
[0061] In some examples, LED light fixture 26 further includes
identification (ID) module 38. ID module 38 may include global
positioning system (GPS) capabilities and/or an identification
number, which processor 30 uses to generate a unique identifier for
each LED light fixture to assist in the recording of data as
measured by individual meters (FIG. 3). In some examples, each LED
light fixture 26 may include a unique media access control (MAC)
address that can serve as the fixture's unique identifier. In at
least one example, LED light fixture 26 may transmit longitude,
latitude, elevation and other GPS information, e.g., as a 20-digit
number, either at regular or irregular intervals. In one example,
the identification number associated with the LED light fixture may
also emanate at regular or irregular intervals. ID module 38
provides each LED light fixture 26 with a unique identifier, which
assists in the tracking and recording of usage data as measured by
individual meters associated with each LED light fixture 26, as
described in more detail below.
[0062] As described in more detail below, each LED light fixture is
associated with a meter that measures an amount of electricity used
by the LED light fixture. Processor 30 of LED light fixture 26, via
ID module 38, generates a unique identifier using a unique
identification number and/or GPS location, associates the measured
amount of electricity with the unique identifier, and transmits a
light signal comprising data representing the associated measured
amount of electricity and unique identifier.
[0063] In one example, a customer using one or more LED light
fixtures 26 has an account with an LED light fixture licensor (or
simply "licensor"). Using the techniques of this disclosure, the
amount of electricity used to generate photons by LED light fixture
26 can be tracked, quantified, and reported for billing purposes.
The transmitted light signal comprising data representing the
associated measured amount of electricity and unique identifier can
be received, recorded, and assigned to a customer account for
recording, processing, and summation, so that a billed expense may
be issued by the licensor to the customer, as described in more
detail below.
[0064] In one example, processor 30 may transmit data including a
customer account number and/or customer location number specific to
a property or address or floor in situations where the customer has
more than one property, address locations, and/or floors. In some
examples, in a manner similar to a premise having multiple phone
lines, a customer location may have multiple identification numbers
that are assigned to floors, or departments on a floor, where a
main number is assigned as having a main account number for the
customer.
[0065] It should be noted that LED light fixtures 26 may be mobile
or stationary. Even if mobile, the unique identifier associated
with each LED light fixture assists in the recording of data as
measured by individual meters (FIG. 3).
[0066] The costs associated with the use of the LED light fixture
and embedded communication/data transmission signals may be less
than, and represent a cost savings, as compared to the utilization
of traditional types of illumination sources. In at least one
example configuration, the embedded communication data transmission
signals incorporate security features that may operate in a manner
similar to encryption to provide security for the embedded
communication data transmission signals.
[0067] As described in more detail below, in accordance with
various techniques of this disclosure, a provider of LED light
fixtures 26 can track and/or quantitatively measure the photons
generated by LED light fixtures 26 that provider 44 supplied to a
customer. In addition, and in accordance with various techniques of
disclosure, the provider has inserted itself between the customer
and power company, thereby allowing the provider to generate a
revenue stream for the provider based on the tracked and/or
quantitatively measured photon generation.
[0068] Additional information and details regarding LED light
communication systems can be found in the following references, the
entire contents of each being expressly incorporated herein by
reference: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0310850;
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0320200; U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2009/0129782; U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2008/0317475; U.S. Patent Application Publication
No. 2009/0003832; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2008/0292320.
[0069] It should be noted that although various techniques of this
disclosure are described with respect to LED light fixture 26, the
disclosure is not limited to fixtures. Rather, various techniques
of this disclosure may be used in conjunction with any LED light
source, e.g., LED lamp and the like. For example, an LED light
source, e.g., LED lamp, may include one or more components
described above with respect to LED light fixture 26.
[0070] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example metering
configuration for an LED light fixture, in accordance with various
techniques of this disclosure. As seen in the example configuration
depicted in FIG. 3, both the line-in side (from the electricity
supplier, e.g., power company) and line-out side of LED light
fixture 26 may include a meter. In particular, FIG. 3 depicts meter
40A receiving power (e.g., AC line power from a power company, or
DC power). Meter 40A measures the amount of current drawn by LED
light fixture 26 and the voltage at which the current is drawn.
Hence, meter 40A may be considered a power meter, or may be
considered to perform a power metering function. Meter 40A
transmits the measured current and voltage to LED fixture 26 and,
in particular, processor 30 of LED fixture 26 as power consumption
data. Processor 30 of fixture 26 then associates the received power
consumption data with the unique identifier of fixture 26 and
either stores the data in memory, e.g., FLASH RAM or the like (not
depicted), or transmits the associated data, as described above. In
this manner, the amount of electricity used by LED light fixture 26
to generate photons and/or visible light can be tracked,
quantified, and reported for billing purposes. Meter 40A provides a
"sub-metering" function that allows the electrical consumption of
each LED light fixture 26 to be determined.
[0071] The measurement of the visible light and/or photons may be
in any quantitative measurement per given period of time as opposed
to hour increments. The measurement of the photons generated may be
referred to photons per hour or photons per some other period of
time.
[0072] In some configurations, meter 40B is provided. Optional
meter 40B measures the luminosity (or quality of the luminosity) of
LED light fixture 26, by measuring the amount of lumens produced by
LED light fixture 26. In particular, meter 40B receives light
emitted from the LEDs of fixture 26, shown generally at 41 in FIG.
3, meter 40B determines the luminosity of light 41 emitted from the
LEDs of fixture 26 (and, in some examples, the color of light 41
for color correction purposes), and meter 40B transmits the
determined luminosity to LED fixture 26, and, in particular,
processor 30 of LED fixture 26 or to computing device 42 (which
will transmit the determined luminosity to LED fixture 26). Upon
receiving the determined luminosity from meter 40B, processor 30 of
LED light fixture 26 retrieves from a memory device in fixture 26
(not depicted) a luminosity value, e.g., pre-configured value
stored in the memory device, and compares the luminosity value
measured by meter 40B to the value retrieved from memory. Meter 40B
may be considered a light (or lumen) meter, or may be considered to
perform a light (or lumen) metering function.
[0073] If processor 30 determines that the luminosity value as
measured by meter 40B is less than the value retrieved from the
memory device, processor 30 controls driver circuitry 34 of fixture
26 to increase the amount of current applied to LEDs 22, thereby
increasing the amount of light output from LEDs 22 which, in turn,
increases the luminosity of LED light fixture 26. For instance, an
agreement between the LED light fixture customer and the LED light
fixture provider, e.g., agreement 72A of FIG. 6, may include a
provision that the provider, e.g., provider 44 of FIG. 6, agrees to
provide an amount of lumens or luminosity to the customer, e.g.,
customer 46A of FIG. 6, for an agreed upon price over an agreed
upon time period. As LEDs 22 of fixture 26 degrade over time from
use and produce less light (in response to a particular applied
current level), processor 30 of fixture 26 controls driver
circuitry 34 to increase the amount of current applied to LEDs 22
in order to provide the agreed upon amount of lumens or luminosity.
In this manner, meter 40B aids in calibrating LED light fixture 26
so that the fixture is in compliance with the agreement between the
customer and the provider.
[0074] Of course, as more current is applied to LEDs 22, meter 40A
measures an increase in power consumption by fixture 26. As fixture
26 ages and requires more power to produce a given lumen output,
the profit to the provider is reduced because the amount of money
that the customer pays the provider for a given lumen output is
independent of how much electricity is required to produce that
given output. The electrical cost paid by the provider to the
electricity supplier and the provided lumen output are
predetermined.
[0075] In one example, processor 30 of LED light fixture 26
controls driver circuitry to increase the amount of current applied
to LEDs 22 based on values stored in a memory device in LED light
fixture 26. For example, a data structure, e.g., table, stored in
the memory device may associate a set of luminosity values with a
set of current values to be applied to LEDs. Processor 30 accesses
the data structure, compares the measured luminosity value from
meter 40B with the stored set of luminosity values, and retrieves a
current value associated with that luminosity value (or a value
close to it) from the stored set of current values. Then, processor
30 controls driver circuitry 34 to apply the retrieved current
value to LEDs 22.
[0076] In some examples, a master computer, e.g., computing device
42, may query one or more of LED light fixtures 26 in order to
retrieve the stored luminosity information and/or power consumption
information. If appropriate, the master computer controls processor
30 of LED light fixture 26 to adjust its light output.
[0077] In some configurations, only the line-in side meter 40A is
used. It should be noted that in some example configurations,
meters 40A, 40B are integral with LED light fixture 26 such that
meters 40A, meter 40B (if present), and LED light fixture form a
single unit. In one example configuration, meters 40A, 40B are
separate components that are external to and in communication with
LED light fixture 26. In some examples, the LED light fixture
provider (provider 44 of FIG. 4) maintains the line-in side meter
40A.
[0078] The power entering LED light fixture 26 is converted by LED
light fixture 26 into observable light, which includes pulsed light
embedded communication/data signals. The light, in turn, is
received by another transceiver that processes the pulsed light
photons/lumens to process and communicate the embedded
communication/data signals as carried by the observed light. The
embedded communication signals within the observed light are not
detectable by ordinary observation by an individual.
[0079] FIG. 3 further depicts computing device 42. Computing device
42 is any device capable of communicating with meters 40 and
storing and processing data related to the amount of electricity
used by LED light fixture 26 to generate photons and/or visible
light. Accordingly, computing device 42 includes, for example, one
or more processors, memory for storing instructions executable by
the one or more processors as well as data, and communication
functionality. In one example, computing device 42 may be remotely
located at the LED light fixture provider's premises and owned and
operated by the provider. In another example, computing device 42
may be positioned on the customer's site and either owned and
operator by the provider or owned and operated by the customer.
[0080] In at least one example configuration, an LED light fixture
customer has an account with the LED light fixture provider. For
each LED light fixture 26, processor 30 transmits data packets
comprising the electricity usage measured by meter 40A (and if
present, the lumens measured by meter 40B), and the unique
identifier for the LED light fixture. Processor 30 may execute
instructions, without user intervention, that cause processor 30 to
periodically transmit the data packets comprising the electricity
usage measured by meter 40A (and if present, the lumens measured by
meter 40B) and the unique identifier for the LED light fixture,
e.g., daily, weekly, bi-weekly. Or, in some examples, processor 30
may execute instructions, without user intervention, that cause
processor 30 to almost continuously transmit the data packets
comprising the electricity usage measured by meter 40A (and if
present, the lumens measured by meter 40B) and the unique
identifier for the LED light fixture, e.g., once per minute, every
other minute, every five minutes, or some other small time
interval. In other examples, processor 30 may respond to a user
request, e.g., via computing device 42, and execute instructions
that cause processor 30 to transmit the data packets comprising the
electricity usage measured by meter 40A (and if present, the lumens
measured by meter 40B) and the unique identifier for the LED light
fixture.
[0081] The meter is assigned to a customer account for recording,
processing, and summation, so that a billed expense may be issued
by the provider to the customer. In one example, the provider may
estimate the amount of electricity that will be used by the LED
light fixtures on the customer's premises, e.g., in the first year
after installation of the LED fixtures.
[0082] Regardless of whether meters 40A, 40B are integral with LED
light fixture, the functions attributed to meters 40A, 40B in this
disclosure may be embodied as software, firmware, hardware or any
combination thereof.
[0083] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example LED light
fixture agreement between a customer and a licensor, in accordance
with this disclosure. FIG. 4 depicts three entities, namely LED
light fixture provider 44, LED light fixture customer 46, and power
company 48 (also referred to as an "electricity supplier"). LED
light fixture customer 46 is an entity that uses one or more LED
light fixtures 26 supplied by LED light fixture provider 44. In
accordance with a contractual agreement between provider 44 and
customer 46, customer 46 agrees to pay provider 44 a pre-determined
monetary amount for each LED light fixture 26 supplied to customer
46 by provider 44, as indicated by line 50, as compensation for the
photons generated by the LED light fixtures. Within the photons
received by the customer is embedded pulse light communication
and/or data. In return, provider 44 agrees to provide customer 46
with LED light fixtures that can provide illumination, embed
receivable data within the illumination, and receive data embedded
within transmitted light signals, as indicated by line 52.
[0084] Additionally, as part of the contractual agreement between
provider 44 and customer 46, provider 44 agrees to pay the
electricity supplier, e.g., power company 48, on behalf of customer
46, a monetary amount for the cost of the electricity used to
generate the photons by each LED light fixture 26 on the customer's
premises. The payment made by the provider to the electricity
supplier is used as a credit against any account balance owed by
the customer to the electricity supplier. To facilitate this
payment, the customer may provide the LED light fixture provider
with the name of the customer's electricity supplier, e.g., the
local power company, and the customer's account information with
the electricity supplier.
[0085] As described above, meter 40A (FIG. 3) is used to determine
the amount of electricity used to generate the photons by each LED
light fixture 26. During each power company billing period, for
example, provider 44 pays power company 48 (into an account
associated with customer 46) a monetary sum equal to the total cost
of the electricity used to generate the photons for all LED light
fixtures 26 on the customer's premises, as indicated by line 54.
The difference between what customer 46 agreed to pay provider 44
as a pre-determined monetary amount for each LED light fixture 26
supplied to customer 46 by provider 44 (line 50) and what provider
44 pays power company 48 as a monetary sum equal to the total cost
of the electricity used to generate the photons for all LED light
fixture 26 on the customer's premises (line 54) is realized as a
profit for provider 44.
[0086] By way of specific example, assume that customer 46 enters a
contractual agreement with provider 44 and has two LED light
fixtures on the customer's premises. In the agreement, customer 46
agreed to pay provider 44 $2.50 per fixture, per 30 day billing
period, in perpetuity as compensation for the photons generated by
the LED light fixtures. During a power company 48 billing cycle,
e.g., 30 days, provider 44 determined, via one or more meters 40A,
that the two LED fixtures on the customer's premises consumed
electricity totaling $2.25 per fixture. Per their agreement,
provider 44 deposits, transfers, or otherwise establishes a credit
with the customer's account at power company 48 in the amount of
$4.50 ($2.25*2 LED light fixtures). Because provider 44 received
from customer 46 $5.00 ($2.50*2 LED light fixtures) as compensation
for the photons generated by the LED light fixtures per 30 day
billing period, provider 44 realizes a profit of $0.50 for that
particular billing cycle. In this manner, using the techniques of
this disclosure, provider 44 can track the photons generated by the
LED light fixtures that provider 44 has supplied to customer 46. In
addition, and in accordance with various techniques of disclosure,
provider 44 has inserted itself between customer 46 and power
company 48, thereby allowing provider 44 to generate a revenue
stream for provider 44 based on the tracked photon generation.
[0087] Still referring to FIG. 4, customer 46 and power company 48
have a contractual agreement in which customer 46 is financially
obligated to pay power company 48 for the expense of power consumed
by customer 46 that is in excess of the amount credited by provider
44 to the customer's account with power company 48. The excess
power expense may be incurred by the customer by use of electrical
devices that are not associated with LED light fixtures that
include embedded communication and/or data, e.g., traditional light
sources other than the LED light fixtures or electricity used by
other electrical devices. In accordance with their agreement, power
company 48 agrees to supply customer 46 with electricity (indicated
by line 56) and customer 46 agrees to pay power company 48 a
monetary amount for the electricity consumed (indicated by line
58). As described above, provider 44 pays power company 48 a
monetary sum equal to the total cost of the electricity used to
generate the photons or all LED light fixtures 26 on the customer's
premises (line 54). Customer 46, however, has likely consumed
electricity beyond that used to generate photons for all LED light
fixtures 26 on the customer's premises. Hence, customer 46 owes
power company 48 a monetary sum equal to the difference between the
credits applied to the customer's account by provider 44 and the
excess consumed electricity. Power company 48 bills customer 46 for
the difference.
[0088] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of
compensating an LED light fixture provider for generation of
photons by one or more LED light fixtures used by a customer. In
the example method of FIG. 5, an LED light fixture provider, e.g.,
provider 44, receives from an LED light fixture customer, e.g.,
customer 46, a pre-determined monetary amount as compensation for
photons generated by LED light fixtures 26 installed at the
customer's premises (60). Provider 44 may receive the
pre-determined monetary amount on a periodic basis, e.g., weekly,
monthly, or yearly. In other words, provider 44 may receive a
payment from the customer at a regular interval corresponding to a
period of time, as agreed upon by provider 44 and customer 46. For
example, assume that customer 46 enters a contractual agreement
with provider 44 and has two LED light fixtures on the customer's
premises. In the agreement, customer 46 agreed to pay provider 44
$2.50 per fixture in perpetuity as compensation for the photons
generated by the LED light fixtures.
[0089] Per a previously entered into contractual agreement,
provider 44 maintains a contractual relationship with customer 46
for a period of time in exchange for the pre-determined monetary
amount, the contractual relationship including a requirement that
provider 44 pay the customer's electricity supplier, e.g., power
company 48, for the electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures
(62) used by the customer. The method of FIG. 5 further includes
determining, with a meter associated with each respective LED light
fixture, e.g., meter 40A, the amount of electricity consumed by the
LED light fixtures used by the customer over a period of time (64).
Then, in response to the determination and on behalf of customer
46, provider 44 submits payment to the customer's electricity
supplier, e.g., power company 48, for the electricity consumed by
the LED light fixtures 26 (66) used by the customer.
[0090] For example, during a power company 48 billing cycle, e.g.,
30 days, provider 44 determined, via meters 40A, that the two LED
fixtures on the customer's premises consumed electricity totaling
$2.25 per fixture. Per their agreement, provider 44 deposits,
transfers, or otherwise establishes a credit with the customer's
account at power company 48 in the amount of $4.50 ($2.25*2 LED
light fixtures). Because provider 44 received from customer 46
$5.00 ($2.50*2 LED light fixtures) as compensation for the photons
generated by the LED light fixtures, provider 44 realizes a profit
of $0.50 for that particular billing cycle. In this manner, using
the techniques of this disclosure, provider 44 has inserted itself
between customer 46 and power company 48 in order to generate a
revenue stream.
[0091] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example system for
compensating an LED light fixture provider for generation of
photons by LED light fixtures used by a customer. The system, shown
generally at 70, includes LED light fixture provider 44
establishing and maintaining a contractual agreement, e.g.,
agreement 72A, with an LED light fixture customer, e.g., customer
46A. Provider 44 may establish and maintain additional contractual
agreements, e.g., agreements 72B-72N (each agreement referred to
generally in this disclosure as "agreement 72") with additional
customers 46B-46N, respectively, (each customer referred to
generally in this disclosure as "customer 46").
[0092] LED light fixture provider 44 may be a LED light fixture
manufacturer, LED light fixture retailer, or LED light fixture
distributor, or any other party capable of providing LED light
fixtures. Customer 46 is any person, organization (public or
private), or other entity capable of receiving, maintaining, and
operating an LED light fixture, e.g., LED light fixture 26.
Examples of customers include, but are not limited to, government
entities (e.g., city governments), school districts, shopping
malls, private businesses, individuals, airports, and the like.
[0093] Agreements 72 include any legally binding instrument,
electronic or tangible, capable of establishing a contractual
relationship between a customer, e.g., customer 46A, and a
provider, e.g., provider 44, ("the parties"). Agreements 72 set
forth the terms and conditions of the contractual relationship
between the parties. In one example, agreements 72 are tangible
agreements that may be signed by the parties. In other examples,
agreements 72 are "click-thru" agreements in which the customer,
e.g., customer 46A, manifests assent by clicking an "ok" or "agree"
button or the like on a dialog box or pop-up window.
[0094] Per each agreement 72, the customer, e.g., customer 46A,
agrees to pay LED light fixture provider 44, a pre-determined
monetary amount as compensation for photons generated by LED light
fixtures 26 installed at customer 46A's premises. In exchange for
the pre-determined monetary amount, provider 44 agrees to pay the
customer's electricity supplier, e.g., power company 48, for the
electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures used by the
customer. Because provider 44 will generally receive from the
customer, e.g., customer 46A, a compensatory amount greater than
the cost of the electricity usage, provider 44 realizes a profit
and generates a revenue stream.
[0095] In some examples, the agreement between the parties includes
three or more phases, e.g., stages. In other examples, the
agreement between the parties includes less than three phases.
[0096] In one example, the use of LED light fixtures having
embedded communication/data signal transmissions capabilities is an
infrastructure change to the customer. In some examples, in at
least one phase the agreement requires the customer to pay to the
provider an agreed-upon price for manufacture and installation of
each LED light fixture. The provider retains ownership of the LED
light fixture in some examples. In at least one example, the
customer may also lease from the LED light fixture provider one or
more USB Internet transceivers for an agreed-upon price.
[0097] In at least one example, payment of the agreed-upon
installation price and execution of the agreement, e.g., agreement
72A, places the customer, e.g., customer 46A, in a priority
position relative to other customers which enter into the contract
with provider 44 at a later date. In one example, early entry into
an agreement with provider 44 affords priority to the customer with
respect to installation or service of LED light fixtures at
additional locations (to be identified at a future date) or when
the customer adds additional designated locations or fixtures
within a particular property. That is, the customer's execution of
the agreement places the customer in an established position in a
queue with respect to installation and/or service of additional LED
light fixtures at the customer's facility. The faster that the
customer establishes its priority in the queue, then the faster the
customer will start saving energy and receiving embedded
communication/data services.
[0098] In one example, the agreement with the customer will include
a charge and an agreement that the customer pays for the equipment
necessary in phase 1 of the contract. Phase 2 of the agreement may,
in some examples, have another equipment charge for additional LED
light fixtures and the installation of additional LED light
fixtures. In some examples, the equipment charge and/or the
installation charge per light fixture in phase 2 is lower than in
phase 1, due to economies of scale.
[0099] Customers may save costs by using LED light fixtures, which
eliminate the expenses associated with conventional light sources,
the replacement costs associated with conventional light sources,
the labor costs associated with the replacement of conventional
light sources, the labor costs associated with bookkeeping,
tracking, and payments associated with conventional light sources,
the expense of purchasing lights, receiving lights, unpacking
lights, distributing lights, installing lights, removing and
disposing of exhausted lights, breakage of purchased lights,
storage of purchased lights, retrieval of lights, replacing
ballasts and sockets and the accounting associated with the above
tasks.
[0100] In addition, the cost may vary between locations and/or
facilities for a customer. It should be noted that the expenses as
identified above are representative of examples, and by no means
are exhaustive of all of the direct and/or indirect expenses
associated with a conventional light source. Using LED light
fixtures 26 may eliminate a number of the above identified expenses
for the customer.
[0101] In one example, provider 44 is responsible for the ongoing
expense associated with the replacement of an LED light fixture. In
other examples, customer 46 may be responsible for the agreed-upon
expense associated with the manufacturer, installation, and/or
replacement of an LED light fixture.
[0102] In some examples, provider 44 assists customer 46 in
identifying the costs associated with conventional illumination
sources so that an actual cost savings may be identified and
communicated to individuals having decision authority to minimize
waste of resources by the customer. In at least one embodiment, the
use of LED light fixtures including embedded communication/data,
conserves and saves natural resources reducing the stress on the
environment.
[0103] In one example, the parties agree on a value and/or expense
associated with the use of the conventional light sources so that
expense savings resulting from the use of the LED light fixtures
may be identified and realized. Provider 44 may, in some examples,
determine or assist in the determination of an average expense
incurred by a customer that uses conventional light sources.
[0104] The typical light bulb (or other conventional illumination
source) following installation generally produces less light as the
bulb ages even though the bulb consumes the same amount of power
over time. A reduction in the produced illumination of a
conventional light source may be due to dirt, deposits on the
outside or inside of the gas, gas leakage, and/or wear in the
filament. In one example, provider 44 assists customer 46 in
identifying and quantifying intangible expenses associated with a
conventional light source such as reduced productivity, downtime,
discussions and communications related to service and maintenance,
as well as/or loss of productivity due to frustration. In at least
one example, provider 44 prepares a chart of the usual expenses and
cost savings associated with the use of LED light fixtures as
compared to conventional light sources.
[0105] In one example implementation, the cost savings realized by
the customer equals the difference in the calculated and agreed
upon composite costs associated with the use of traditional light
sources following consideration of the factors identified above,
less the amount that has been agreed to be paid to the provider for
the use of the LED light fixtures having embedded
communication/data transmission. The customer may, for example,
finance the installation and manufacture costs associated with the
LED light fixtures having embedded communication/data transmission
by continuing to pay to the provider the entire amount as agreed
upon by the customer and/or provider of the actual previous cost
expense incurred by the customer for the use of conventional light
sources, following the consideration of the above identified
factors.
[0106] In at least one example, the customer may finance the
initial installation and manufacturing expenses for one or more LED
light fixtures in a manner similar to a performance contract.
Factors considered by the customer are present capital expenditure
outlay and incurred immediate operational savings versus continuous
payment of a previous level of expenditure and realization of
operational savings at a future date once financing is
liquidated/exhausted. In at least one example, the initial capital
investment is available where ongoing operational expenses are
problematic, where the ongoing cost savings associated with the use
of the LED light fixtures with embedded communication/data
transmission enables the customer to afford to proceed with the use
of LED light fixtures as an ongoing operational expense.
[0107] In at least one embodiment, pursuant to the contractual
agreement, the customer 46 will agree to compensate provider 44 an
agreed upon fixed sum, in addition to the metered electricity
consumed by the LED light fixtures/LED light sources (62) used by
the customer 46, for each agreed upon period of time. In at least
one embodiment, pursuant to the contractual agreement, the customer
46 will agree to compensate provider 44 an agreed upon multiplier
of the metered electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/LED
light sources (62) used by the customer 46, for each agreed upon
period of time. It should be noted that any other method or type of
compensation enhancement from the customer 46 to the provider 44
above the metered electricity consumed by the LED light
fixtures/LED light sources (62) used by the customer 46, is
contemplated under this invention. It is anticipated that the
contractual relationship will include a requirement that provider
44 pay the customer's electricity supplier, e.g., power company 48,
for the electricity consumed by the LED light fixtures/LED light
sources (62) used by the customer.
[0108] Various aspects of the disclosure have been described. These
and other aspects are within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *