U.S. patent application number 16/907658 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-08 for integration of led lighting control with emergency notification systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is iLumisys, Inc.. Invention is credited to John Ivey, David L. Simon.
Application Number | 20200320840 16/907658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004906146 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200320840 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ivey; John ; et al. |
October 8, 2020 |
Integration of LED Lighting Control with Emergency Notification
Systems
Abstract
An emergency lighting system for a building includes at least
one LED-based light. An emergency detector is operable to detect an
emergency. The emergency detector produces an emergency signal in
response to the emergency. A controller is operable to control the
at least one LED-based light in response to the emergency
signal.
Inventors: |
Ivey; John; (Farmington
Hills, MI) ; Simon; David L.; (Grosse Pointe Woods,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
iLumisys, Inc. |
Troy |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004906146 |
Appl. No.: |
16/907658 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16238942 |
Jan 3, 2019 |
10713915 |
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16907658 |
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14477335 |
Sep 4, 2014 |
10176689 |
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16238942 |
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13848387 |
Mar 21, 2013 |
8830080 |
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14477335 |
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12257773 |
Oct 24, 2008 |
8653984 |
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13848387 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21K 9/27 20160801; H05B
47/19 20200101; G08B 7/06 20130101; H05B 45/10 20200101; G08B 21/02
20130101; F21V 33/0076 20130101; Y02B 20/30 20130101; F21Y 2115/10
20160801; G08B 5/36 20130101; H02J 9/065 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/02 20060101
G08B021/02; F21V 33/00 20060101 F21V033/00; G08B 7/06 20060101
G08B007/06; H05B 45/10 20060101 H05B045/10; H05B 47/19 20060101
H05B047/19; G08B 5/36 20060101 G08B005/36 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. An LED-based light, comprising: a tubular housing configured to
be installable in a standard light fixture; a plurality of LEDs
disposed within the housing; a controller disposed within the
housing; an emergency detector disposed within the housing; and a
connector arranged at an end of the housing, wherein the connector
configured for physical connection to one or more sockets of the
standard light fixture such that, when the connector is physically
connected to the one or more sockets, the housing, the plurality of
LEDs, the controller, and the wireless signal transmitter are
secured in the standard light fixture, wherein the emergency
detector is configured to: detect an emergency, and responsive to
detecting the emergency: transmit an emergency signal to the
controller, and transmit an alarm notification to an automatic door
locking system remote from the LED-based light, wherein the
controller is operable to: absent receipt of the emergency signal
from the emergency detector, operate the plurality of LEDs
according to a normal mode for general illumination, and responsive
to receiving the emergency signal from the emergency detector,
operate the plurality of LEDs according to an emergency mode
different from the normal mode.
3. The LED-based light of claim 2, wherein the emergency is at
least one of smoke or a fire.
4. The LED-based light of claim 2, wherein the emergency is at
least one of a trespasser or a door ajar.
5. The LED-based light of claim 2, wherein the emergency is weather
emergency.
6. The LED-based light of claim 5, wherein the emergency detector
comprises a receiver configured to receive an emergency broadcast
from a weather service, and wherein the emergency detector is
configured to detect the emergency based on the emergency
broadcast.
7. The LED-based light of claim 2, wherein according to the normal
mode, the plurality of LEDs emit white light.
8. The LED-based light of claim 7, wherein according to the
emergency mode: during a first time span, a first LED of the
plurality of LEDs emits light, during a second time span, a second
LED of the plurality of LEDs emits light, and during a third time
span, a third LED of the plurality of LEDs emits light, wherein the
first time span partially overlaps the second time span, and
wherein the second time span partially overlaps the third time
span, and wherein the first LED is adjacent of the second LED, and
wherein the second LED is adjacent to the third LED.
9. The LED-based light of claim 8, wherein at least one of the
light emitted by the first LED, or the light emitted by the second
LED, or the light emitted by the third LED is not white.
10. The LED-based light of claim 7, wherein according to the
emergency mode: during a first time span, a first LED of the
plurality of LEDs emits light that increases in intensity from a
beginning of the first time span to an end of the first time span,
during a second time span, a second LED of the plurality of LEDs
emits light that increases in intensity from a beginning of the
second time span to an end of the second time span, and during a
third time span, a third LED of the plurality of LEDs emits light
that increases in intensity from a beginning of the third time span
to an end of the third time span, wherein the first time span
partially overlaps the second time span, and wherein the second
time span partially overlaps the third time span, and wherein the
first LED is adjacent of the second LED, and wherein the second LED
is adjacent to the third LED.
11. The LED-based light of claim 9, wherein at least one of the
light emitted by the first LED, or the light emitted by the second
LED, or the light emitted by the third LED is not white.
12. The LED-based light of claim 7, wherein according to the
emergency mode: the plurality of LEDs emit light sequentially
according to a first line from a first end of the LED-based light
to a center of the LED-based light, and the plurality of LEDs emit
light sequentially according to a second line from a second end of
the LED-based light to the center of the LED-based light,
13. The LED-based light of claim 2, wherein the emergency detector
is configured to, responsive to detecting the emergency, transmit a
second alarm notification to an emergency response center remote
from the LED-based light, wherein second alarm notification
comprises an indication of a location of the emergency.
14. The LED-based light of claim 13, wherein the emergency response
center is at least one of a fire station or a medical facility.
15. The LED-based light of claim 13, wherein the indication of the
location of the emergency comprises an indication of a floor of a
building.
16. The LED-based light of claim 2, wherein the LED-based light
comprises a wireless transmitter disposed within the housing, and
wherein the emergency detector is configured to transmit the alarm
notification using the wireless transmitter.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/848,387, filed Mar. 21, 2013, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 12/257,773, filed Oct. 24, 2008, now U.S.
Pat. No. 8,653,984, issued Feb. 18, 2014, all of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to emergency notification
systems, and more particularly to integrating an emergency
notification system with an LED-based light.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many buildings include several types of alarm systems, such
as smoke detectors, fire alarms, burglar alarms, and alarms to
indicate that a door is ajar. A building may additionally include
other alarms depending on the types of danger that the building is
susceptible to, e.g., a tornado alarm or an air raid siren. These
alarms are generally stand-alone units (i.e., separate from and not
in communication with other systems). The alarms may be powered by
their own power supplies, such as replaceable batteries. A light
may be included with an alarm. For example, some tire alarms
include strobe lights that flash to indicate detected fires.
[0004] Additionally, buildings have lighting systems. For example,
many commercial buildings include fluorescent lighting fixtures for
use with fluorescent tubes, though other types of lighting systems
using other types of lights. e.g., incandescent lights, are also
occasionally used. Fixtures are typically hard-wired to a power
source, such as an electric utility line. Additionally, a back-up
power source such as a generator may be employed for use when the
electric utility line is not functioning. Operation of the lighting
system is generally independent of operation of the alarms. That
is, the lighting system may produce a generally constant flux of
light so long as a switch controlling the lighting system is in an
"on" position regardless of whether one or mom of the alarms
becomes activated.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention provides an emergency lighting system
for a building. The lighting system includes at least one LED-based
light. An emergency detector is operable to detect an emergency and
to produce an emergency signal in response to the emergency. A
controller is operable to control the at least one LED-based light
in response to the emergency signal.
[0006] In another example, an LED-based light for use in an
emergency lighting system including an emergency detector operable
to output an emergency signal is provided. The LED-based light
includes at least one LED and a controller configured to operate
the at least one LED in a normal mode and an emergency mode in
response to the emergency signal.
[0007] In yet another example, an LED-based light for replacing a
fluorescent tube in a fixture is provided. The light features a
housing including a light transmitting portion. A circuit board
extends longitudinally within the housing. Multiple LEDs are
mounted on the circuit board and oriented to produce light through
the light transmitting portion of the housing. An emergency
detector is operable to output an emergency signal in response to
an emergency. A controller is operable to control the at least one
LED in a normal mode and an emergency mode in response to the
emergency signal. A pair of standard sized electrical connectors is
included, with one at each longitudinal end of the housing. The
LEDs, emergency detector, and controller are each electrically
coupled to at least one of the electrical connectors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The description herein makes reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an
LED-based light for use in an emergency lighting system;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view schematic of an example of
an emergency lighting system including multiple LED-based
lights;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of light produced by
the emergency lighting system of FIG. 2 when operating in an
emergency mode;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective schematic view of another
example of an LED-based light for use in an emergency lighting
system;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of light produced by
the LED-based light of FIG. 4 when operating in an emergency mode;
and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of yet another
example of an LED-based light for use in an emergency lighting
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Embodiments of an emergency lighting system and an LED-based
light for use in an emergency lighting system according the
invention are discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-6. FIG. 1
illustrates an LED-based light 10 for use in a standard fixture 12,
such as a fixture designed to accept T5, T8, T10, or T12 tubes. As
such, the LED-based light 10 can have the shape of a standard tube,
i.e., the shape of a T5, T8, T10, or T12 tube, or otherwise be
shaped for compatibility with the standard fixture 12.
Alternatively, another example of an LED-based light can have an
alternative shape from the illustrated light 10 for use in fixtures
that accept other types of standard sized lights, such as
incandescent bulbs or standard sized halogen lamps. However, all
examples of LED-based lights need not be compatible with the
fixture 12 or another type of standard fixture. That is, yet
another example of an LED-based light can be powered by a battery
or connected to a power source by means such as hard-wiring the
light to a power source.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the light 10 includes a housing 14, a
circuit board 16, a pair of end caps 18, multiple LEDs 20, and a
controller 22 in a single package defined by the housing 14 and end
caps 18. The housing 14 as shown in FIG. 1 is a light transmitting
cylindrical tube. The housing 14 can be made from polycarbonate,
acrylic, glass or another light transmitting material (i.e., the
housing 14 can be transparent or translucent). For example, a
translucent housing 14 can be made from a composite, such as
polycarbonate with particles of a light refracting material
interspersed in the polycarbonate. While the illustrated housing 14
is cylindrical, a housing having a square, triangular, polygonal,
or other cross sectional shape can alternatively be used.
Similarly, while the illustrated housing 14 is linear, a housing
having an alternative shape, e.g., a U-shape or a circular shape
can alternatively be used. Additionally, the housing 14 need not be
a single piece as shown in FIG. 1. Instead, another example of a
housing can be formed by attaching multiple individual parts, not
all of which need to be light transmitting. For example, such a
housing can include an opaque lower portion and a lens or other
transparent cover attached to the lower portion to cover the LEDs
20. The housing 14 can be manufactured to include light diffusing
or refracting properties, such as by surface roughening or applying
a diffusing film to the housing 14. For compatibility with the
fixture 12 as discussed above, the housing 14 can have a length
such that the light 10 is approximately 48'' long, and the housing
14 can have a 0.625'', 1.0'', or 1.5'' diameter.
[0017] The circuit board 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is an elongate
printed circuit board. Multiple circuit board sections can be
joined by bridge connectors to create the circuit board 16. The
circuit board 16 as shown in FIG. 1 is slidably engaged with the
housing 14, though the circuit board 16 can alternatively be
clipped, adhered, snap- or friction-fit, screwed or otherwise
connected to the housing 14. For example, the circuit board 16 can
be mounted on a heat sink that is attached to the housing 14. Also,
other types of circuit boards may be used, such as a metal core
circuit board. Or, instead of a circuit board 16, other types of
electrical connections (e.g., wires) can be used to electrically
connect the LEDs 20 to a power source.
[0018] The light 10 can include two bi-pin end caps 18 (i.e., each
end cap 18 can carry two pins), one at each longitudinal end of the
housing 14, for physically and electrically connecting the light 10
to the fixture 12. The end caps 18 can be the sole physical
connection between the light 10 and the fixture 12. The end caps 18
can be electrically connected to the circuit board 16 to provide
power to the LEDs 20. Each end cap 18 can include two pins, though
two of the total four pins can be "dummy pins" that do not provide
an electrical connection. Alternatively, other types of electrical
connectors can be used, such as an end cap carrying a single pin.
Also, while the end caps 18 are shown as including cup-shaped
bodies, apparatuses having a different configuration can
alternatively be used (e.g., plugs lodged in ends of the housing 14
can carry pins or other electrical connectors). One or both of the
end caps 18 can additionally include electric components, such as a
rectifier and filter.
[0019] The LEDs 20 can be surface-mount devices of a type available
from Nichia, though other types of LEDs can alternatively be used.
For example, although surface-mounted LEDs 20 are shown, one or
more organic LEDs can be used in place of or in addition thereto.
The LEDs 20 can be mounted to the circuit board 16 by solder, a
snap-fit connection, or other means. The LEDs 20 can produce white
light. However, LEDs that produce blue light, ultra-violet light or
other wavelengths of light can be used in place of white light
emitting LEDs 20.
[0020] The number of LEDs 20 can be a function of the desired power
of the light 10 and the power of the LEDs 20. For a 48'' light,
such as the light 10, the number of LEDs 20 can vary from about
five to four hundred such that the light 10 outputs approximately
500 to 3.000 lumens. However, a different number of LEDs 20 can
alternatively be used, and the light 10 can output a different
amount of lumens. The LEDs 20 can be evenly spaced along the
circuit board 16, and the spacing of the LEDs 20 can be determined
based on, for example, the light distribution of each LED 20 and
the number of LEDs 20.
[0021] The controller 22 can be digital and include a CPU and a
memory, such as RAM or another type of memory, though a controller
including analog circuits can be used. The controller 22 can be
mounted on the circuit board 16 to communicate with other
components and to receive power from one or both of the end caps
18. Alternatively, the controller 22 can be coupled to a different
power source such as a battery. The controller 22 can be configured
to control an amount of power provided to each LED 20 using pulse
width modulation. A program for controlling the LEDs 20 can be
stored on the memory for execution by the CPU. The controller 22
can further include a signal receiver. The signal receiver can be
hard-wired (e.g., using a telephone line, current-carrying wire, or
Ethernet cable) to a signal source to receive a signal, or the
signal receiver can be configured to wirelessly receive the signal
using a standardized protocol such as IEEE 802.11, a protocol for
radio communication, Bluetooth, a cellular standard (e.g., 3G or
another cellular standard), or another wireless protocol. The
signal receiver can be in communication with the CPU. The
functionality of the controller is discussed below in greater
detail in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates multiple lights 10a, 10b, and 10c
installed in separate fixtures 12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively. One
or more emergency detectors, illustrated as a smoke detector 24 and
a power monitor 28 in communication with a power source 30 (e.g.,
an electric power line, a transformer, a generator, or another
power source), can detect the presence of an emergency, which in
the example shown in FIG. 2 can be smoke or a defect in the power
source 30. Other emergency detectors can include a fire alarm, a
burglar alarm, an alarm to indicate a door is ajar, a tornado
alarm, an air raid siren, or some other type of alarm. The detected
emergency can be a fire, a trespasser, an ajar door, a tornado, an
air raid signal, or another event for which a warning is helpful.
Each emergency detector can include a self-contained sensor to
detect the emergency, e.g., the smoke detector 24 can include an
optical detector or an ionization detector. Alternatively, an
emergency detector can be in communication with some other device
for indicating the presence of an emergency, e.g., a tornado alarm
can be in communication with a weather service.
[0023] Each emergency detector can also include a signal
transmitter 26 operable to transmit an emergency signal .alpha. to
the controller 22 in response to detection of an emergency.
Alternatively, multiple emergency detectors can be in communication
with a single signal transmitter. When multiple emergency detectors
are in communication with a single signal transmitter, the single
signal transmitter can be in communication with the signal receiver
in the controller 22 of each light 10a, 10b, and 10c via
hard-wiring or wireless communication using one of the protocols
mentioned above. The transmitters 26 shown in FIG. 2 can also be
operable to transmit an alarm notification .beta. to a response
system, such as an illustrated sprinkler system 32, an emergency
response center or a security office, an automatic door locking
system, or another location. Like the emergency signal .alpha., the
alarm notification .beta. can be sent through a wired connection
(such as a telephone line) or wirelessly using one of the protocols
mentioned above or another wireless protocol.
[0024] In operation, during a normal mode of operation in which no
emergency is detected, the controller 22 can control the LEDs 20 to
produce a generally constant flux of light (i.e., the controller 22
can provide a generally constant amount of power to the LEDs 20
such that the LEDs 20 do not appear to flicker). The exact amount
of light produced during the normal mode need not be constant under
all conditions. For example, the controller 22 can vary the power
in response to a dimmer switch, ambient light conditions, or some
other circumstances.
[0025] Upon the occurrence of an emergency, the emergency detector
can detect the emergency and communicate the presence of an
emergency to the transmitter 26. The transmitter 26 can transmit
the emergency signal .alpha. to the controller 22 and the
notification signal .beta. to the response system. Upon receiving
the emergency signal .alpha., the controller 22 can operate the
lights 10a, 10b, and 10c in an emergency mode. The emergency mode
can include operating the lights 10a, 10b, and 10c to indicate a
direction, such as a direction toward an exit, a direction away
from the emergency, or a direction toward the emergency. For
example, as shown in FIG. 3, light 10a can produce light at a first
brightness level while lights 10b and 10c are off. Light 10a can
stop producing light, and light 10b can begin producing light at a
second brightness level greater than the first brightness level.
Light 10b can then stop producing light, and light 10c can begin
producing light at third brightness level greater than the second
brightness level. As a result, the lights 10a, 10b, and 10c can
produce an increasingly bright pattern of light moving toward the
smoke detector 24. The pattern can be reversed, with light 10c
first operating at the first brightness level, followed by
operation of light 10b at the second brightness level, then light
10c at the third brightness level to produce a pattern in the
opposite direction.
[0026] Operating in the emergency mode can include other light
patterns from the pattern described with reference to FIG. 3. As an
example, all of lights 10a, 10b, and 10c can remain on while each
successive light 10a, then 10b, and then 10c increases or decreases
in brightness to produce a pattern of light toward or away from the
emergency. As another example, the pattern can be based on the
location of the lights 10a, 10b, and 10c relative to the emergency,
such as by operating one of the lights 10a, 10b, and 10c nearest
the emergency or nearest an exit in a manner to indicate that the
emergency or the exit is nearby (e.g., illuminating the light
brighter than other lights or flashing the light in a unique
pattern).
[0027] As yet another example of a pattern of light produced during
emergency mode operation, FIG. 4 illustrates another light 28
including the housing 14, circuit board 16, and end caps 18 as
described with reference to the light 10. The light 28 additionally
includes multiple LEDs 20, with LEDs 20a-d illustrated (though a
greater or fewer number of LEDs 20 can be included). The LEDs 20a-d
can be illuminated at different brightness levels from each other
to produce a pattern. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, LED 20b can
be brighter than LED 20a, and both lights can increase in
brightness. When LED 20b reaches a predetermined brightness, its
brightness can be reduced to a low level before being increased
back to the predetermined level. Similarly, the brightness of the
LED 20a can be controlled in the same manner, though the LED 20a
reaches the predetermined brightness level at a later point in time
than the LED 20b. LEDs 20c and 20d can be controlled similarly such
that LED 20d reaches the predetermined brightness level first,
followed by LED 20c, then LED 20b, and lastly LED 20a. As a result,
the light 28 appears to produce a bright line travelling in the
direction from LED 20a toward LED 20d. This bright line can be
controlled in a direction toward an emergency or an exit or away
from the emergency. If the light 28 is near the emergency, the LEDs
20a-d can be controlled in a different manner, such as by flashing
or creating two lines pointing toward a center of the light 28.
[0028] Additionally, operation of the lights 10a, 10b, and 10c can
include modifying the production of light in ways other than
producing patterns. For example, if the power monitor 28 detects a
defect in the power source 30, such as a power outage, operating a
generator to provide power, a low level of power remaining in a
generator, or some other indication that the power source 30 is not
operating under normal conditions, the transmitter 26 in
communication with the power monitor 28 can transmit the emergency
signal .alpha. to the signal receiver of the controller 22 in each
light 10a, 10b, and 10c. Each controller 22 can reduce an amount of
power supplied to each light 10a, 10b, and 10c by reducing the
brightness of all LEDs 20, no longer providing power to some of the
LEDs 20, or a combination of the two.
[0029] As another example, FIG. 6 illustrates a light 38 having a
similar structure as the light 10 (i.e., including the housing 14,
the circuit board 16, the end caps 18, and the LEDs 20), but
additionally including a group of color-producing LEDs 34. The LEDs
34 can produce a different color of light than the LEDs 20. For
example, if the LEDs 20 produce white light, the LEDs 34 can
produce red light, green light, orange light, or another color of
light. Additionally, two groups of LEDs 34 that produce different
colors can be included, such as a group of green light producing
LEDs and a group of red light producing LEDs. Operation in the
emergency mode can include powering the colored LEDs 34. For
example, the LEDs 34 can be turned on or flash to indicate the
presence of an emergency. The LEDs 34 can also perform other
functions, such as producing a directional pattern of light to as
described above in reference to FIG. 4. Additionally, having
multiple colors of LEDs 34 can allow more versatile guiding. For
example, a green group of the LEDs 34 can indicate a pattern toward
an exit, while a red group of LEDs 34 can indicate a pattern toward
the emergency.
[0030] Regarding the notification signal .beta., the response
system can take an appropriate action upon receiving the
notification signal .beta.. For example, referring back to FIG. 2,
if the response system includes the sprinkler system 32 and the
notification signal .beta. indicates the presence of a fire, the
sprinkler system 32 can release water. As another example, if the
response system includes an emergency response center (e.g., a
security center, a fire station, or a paramedic), personnel at the
emergency response center can respond accordingly. Additionally,
the notification signal .beta. can communicate the location of the
emergency to aid in the response to the emergency. For example, the
sprinkler system 32 can release water only in locations in which a
fire is detected, though the sprinkler system can also release
water in other areas, e.g., adjacent areas likely to be affected by
the fire. As another example, the notification signal .beta. can
alert personnel at the emergency response center of the location of
the emergency (e.g., a fire is on the third floor of the southwest
wing of a building).
[0031] While the emergency detector has been described as being
separate from the light 10 shown in FIG. 1, the emergency detector
can alternatively be included in the package defined by the housing
14 and end caps 18 as shown in the lights 28 and 38. That is, as
shown in FIG. 4, the light 28 includes both a controller 22 and an
emergency detector 33. The emergency detector 33 can include a
sensor to detect one or more types of emergencies, such as a fire,
smoke, a trespasser, or another emergency. That is, the sensor can
include a motion sensor to detect a trespasser, an optical or
ionization detector for smoke detection, a receiver to receive an
emergency broadcast from (e.g., a weather service), and/or some
another type of sensor to detect an emergency. Similarly, the light
38 as shown in FIG. 6 can include a single component 36 functioning
as both a detector and controller. That is, the detector and
controller can be integral to the single component 36. Thus, the
lights 28 and 38 can be installed in the fixture 12 to provide an
alarm system without the need for modifications to an existing
lighting or alarm infrastructure (e.g., without the need for
installing wires to a separate emergency detector or upgrading an
emergency detector to transmit a wireless signal).
[0032] In addition to being installable in a standard fixture,
e.g., the fixture 12, the lights 10, 28, 38 can provide other
benefits. For example, the directional patterns produced by LEDs 20
can lead a viewer toward or away from the emergency, toward an exit
or stairwell, or in another direction. Also, as a result of using
LEDs 20, which can produce light virtually instantaneously upon
receiving power, the lights 10, 28, and 38 can produce patterns
that are impractical with a fluorescent tube having a long start-up
time. Further, the lights 10, 28, and 38 can be installed in a
"smart building" for interaction with a central controller or
emergency detector. The lights 10, 28, and 38 can reduce the amount
of wiring required for an alarm system by combining multiple
components in a single package, thereby reducing the cost of an
emergency system. The lights 10, 28, and 38 can also improve the
aesthetics of the building by eliminating known alarm systems, such
as smoke detectors and fire alarms, that some may find visually
unappealing.
[0033] The above-described embodiments have been described in order
to allow easy understanding of the invention and do not limit the
invention. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.
* * * * *